Fico Gutierrez the possibility of becoming Uribes Candidate
Since Sunday night, Federico Fico Gutierrez is the most stable presidential candidate in Colombia. While it's not the first time that his name appears on an electoral document - he has been mayor and councilor in Medellin and his first attempt in a presidential election, where he achieved more than two million votes within the Team for Colombia coalition, they have him listed as an ideal candidate for conservative movements or those who are frightened by the thought of an open-minded presidency. Fico (47-year-old Fico), as he's known, is the main opposition of Gustavo Petro. He was, with the Historic Pact, one of three winners in the election which decided who would represent the three most powerful political parties.
The campaign for president is just starting. If the former mayor of Medellin will be a true opposition to petrismo is contingent on the alliances and negotiations that he will make from now on. He'll need to not only unite the entire right, but also take on only a tiny portion of the centre electorate that was shattered on Sunday. To do this it is necessary to avoid, as he has done until now being in the same picture with former President Alvaro Uribe. Today, for just the second time in the last 20 years that he has been openly endorsed by Uribism, instead of adding to the picture, could be a negative. "Federico Gutierrez faces a dilemma. He is required to create an alliance with Uribe's Democratic Center (CD), but he will also have to convince Uribe's center.
The first victory of Fico was achieved on Monday, as the company moved towards the alliance with CD, in which uribism can be concentrated. Oscar Ivan Zuluaga the former president-elect, chose to step down, recognized the few alternatives available to compete against him, and offered his support. Now , it will be interesting to see if the entire collective, which is now without a representative, follows in his footsteps. Especially when Uribe is willing to openly support and attempts to convince his electorate with the most basic concerns of the Colombian right, something that is not that difficult for him. His speech of "security", "order", "opportunities" and "love of our country" already showed him that he is able to add votes. This was confirmed on Sunday with the electoral consultation, as he did before when he worked in the office of the mayor in the capital of Antioquia in which he was famous as the sheriff of Medellin. He claimed, "The bandits were either in prison or grave," while he was traveling to Arauca, a region that is particularly prone to violence. https://www.facebook.com/FicoGutierrez is aware of what the Colombian right wing is a fan of, but it will not suffice for Fico.
"We are not in 2018 when the fear of the left had worked, but this time the electorate is not moved by fear," Basset points out. https://thebogotapost.com/fico-eyes-colombias-presidency-an-interview-with-pre-candidate-federico-gutierrez/49519/ say that Fico might not get Uribe's blessing due to the fact Alvaro Uribe has been stripped of his absolute leadership role since 2002 when the president was elected. However, this doesn't mean the Uribismo votes are insufficient to Gutierrez. https://www.portafolio.co/elecciones-2022/discurso-fico-gutierrez-tras-ganar-coalicion-de-equipo-por-colombia-562882 could be due to the fact that they are lower than the table. Uribism was also crucial to this win (winning in the coalition). His ability as a negotiator will be measured: to convince the right, but not to invest everything on the alliance," Basset warns. On this relationship between former President Uribe and Fico, an expert Andres Mejia Vergnaud explains "the greatest challenge for Federico Gutierrez is that he would like the support of Uribismo, but without the photo with Uribe since it doesn't fit him as a candidate".
Gustavo Petro (left) is the sole candidate. Gustavo Petro (right) is the only candidate who is preparing for the presidential election unless Fico (if negotiates) persuades Fico to let him go and offer the support he needs. Rodolfo Sanchez, who campaigned independently, is still in the running. Gutierrez will be able to boast an impressive list of achievements to include the ex-mayor of Bucaramanga who is a builder and millionaire.
Gutierrez has a lot to sit down to negotiate before even considering names for his possible presidential plan, but what he already has is the backing of the other candidates who were vying for the top spot in the Team for Colombia coalition. It's not an insignificant amount. Two former mayors Enrique Penalosa(Bogota), and Alex Char (Barranquilla), are at his side. David Barguil, the leader and founder of the Conservative party is with Aydee Zarazo. Aydee Lizarazo from a Christian Party, who often votes in accordance to his church's rules.
The Conservative Party was strengthened, and was the party that won the most right-wing vote of over two million votes. It also has the backing of the U Party. This party was able to win a rousing legislative vote with just over 1 million votes. https://zonacero.com/politica/fico-gutierrez-llama-la-union-fajardo-para-derrotar-petro-188733 , who didn't let Sunday's election go by in order to accept his loss before a possible contest for votes from the right gives Fico the boost he needs in the conservative wing but also distances him from any votes that could come from the center. The statement of Alvaro Uribe, the former president, who called his party to meet Tuesday, will establish if Fico is willing to sacrifice his chances at the center to become the openly Uribe that is blessed.
