On Saturday, March 26, Federico Gutiérrez announced to the country, the name of his formula to the vice presidency: Rodrigo Lara Sánchez. Son of the late Minister of Justice, Rodrigo Lara Bonilla, who together with Luis Carlos Galán formed one of the most formidable societies that Colombian politics has ever had in its entire history, famous for its frontal struggle against Pablo Escobar and the drug trafficking that took over the country at that time.
A doctor by profession, Lara Sánchez began her political activity alongside Antanas Mockus in the department of Huila. After being a councillor of Neiva in the 2000s, he won, in 2016, the city's mayor's office.
The announcement made by “Fico” caused astonishment and shook the political environment, because Lara Sánchez had campaigned for New Liberalism and a month ago gave support to Sergio Fajardo. “15 years ago I met Sergio Fajardo when he had been mayor of Medellin and recognized by Colombia Líder as the best mayor of Colombia. Then he was the best governor in the country. I have never seen an act of corruption in her political life, and I strongly believe in her ability to govern,” Lara had posted on her social media on February 7.
For his part, Sergio Fajardo, after winning the consultation at the Centro Esperanza Coalition, absolutely said that he was not going to endorse Federico Gutiérrez, categorically pointing out that the ideas put forward by “Fico” Gutiérrez were contrary to his way of seeing the country's leadership. In mid-March, he completely closed the door to a possible deal with Gutierrez. “Today it has been confirmed by the resignation of Óscar Iván Zuluaga that Federico Gutiérrez is the candidate of Uribism, he is the candidate of Duque, he is continuity and he is precisely one of the forces that cannot continue in the country.” He wrote on his Twitter account.
From there, Sergio Fajardo has referred to Federico Gutiérrez as being part of the continuity of the current government and not proposing any change for the country. For this reason, it has been experienced, with surprise and some confusion, that Lara Sánchez, a recognized ally of the green awnings in the department of Huila, ended up accepting to be the formula for the vice-presidency of Gutiérrez.
Lara Sánchez, a vice-presidential formula that holds surprises
With the selection of Rodrigo Lara Sánchez, Federico Gutiérrez aims to achieve a political move with great calculation; first, he seeks to send a message of unity and cohesion to the strongest and most traditionalist forces of the greens who identify Lara Sánchez from his work, years ago with Antanas Mockus, as well as he seeks to appear before the opinion public as he is not the candidate of the right wing and of uribism, but rather of a candidate with a more moderate and “center” profile. Seeking to generate sympathy within the broad sectors of undecided voters, who do not see with confidence the proposals of Uribism and the Historical Pact.
Similarly, given the current outlook of the vice-presidential formulas of Sergio Fajardo and Gustavo Petro, who chose two formulas to the vice-presidency, who are not only members of the Afro-Colombian community, but have a very strong influence in their regions of origin, Gutiérrez seeks to attract the sectors of “Tolima Grande” with Lara Sánchez, since he has spent his entire political life in the departments of Huila and Tolima. And another of the assumptions made since the “Fico” campaign is that, with this nomination, it will try to attract sectors of the Liberal Party and the New Liberalism, who have been close to the administration of Lara Sánchez.
But, it is essential to keep in mind that in addition to the unexpected and surprising move of “Fico”, the election of Lara Sánchez also generates suspicion. Is it possible that this commitment by Gutiérrez also intends to establish possible bridges between Federico Gutiérrez and Fajardo for an eventual alliance with a view to a possible runoff in the May elections?
*Political Scientist specializing in Public Management
Mg. In Political and International Studies
University Professor and Analyst
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