Fico Gutierrez, and the danger of "Uribe’s candidate"

Since the night of Sunday, Federico Fico Gutierrez had been the most solid choice for Colombia's presidency. Although it is not the first time that his name is on an electoral card - he was mayor and councilor in Medellin the city he was elected to represent - but his first time in a national election that he won more than two million votes inside the Team for Colombia coalition, they have him listed as a desired candidate of the conservative movements or those who are scared by the thought of the possibility of a leftist president. Fico (47-year old Fico) is the main opposition to Gustavo Petro. The Historic Pact movement, along with Gustavo Petro, was one the winners of the election last night which determined who will represent the three major political parties.

The presidential campaign is just beginning. The way the former mayor from Medellin can counter petrismo and forge alliances and negotiate with other nations will determine his chances of success. He will need to unify the right and also win over the middle electorate that was weak and devoid of a leader who was strong on Sunday. He must keep his distance from the previous president Alvaro Urbine, something that he has not done previously. Today, for only the second time in 20 year that he has been openly endorsed by Uribism, instead of adding to the picture, could reduce. "Federico Gutierrez faces a dilemma. He must form an alliance to the Democratic Center (CD), Uribe’s party. Fico Gutierrez However, he will have to convince the center, which is to decide on where the alliance goes," Yann Basset from the University of Rosario, analyst and professor.

https://zonacero.com/politica/fico-gutierrez-llama-la-union-fajardo-para-derrotar-petro-188733 The first victory of Fico was achieved on Monday, as the company was moving towards the alliance with CD which is where uribism can be concentrated. https://www.eluniversal.com.co/politica/conozca-a-fico-gutierrez-candidato-de-equipo-por-colombia-a-la-presidencia-AX6257332 The party's candidate up until Monday, former president aspirant Oscar Ivan Zuluaga, took a step aside, recognized the few opportunities to compete with him, and gave his support. http://www.elnuevosiglo.com.co/articulos/12-09-2021-federico-gutierrez-entrego-1400000-firmas-para-avalar-su-candidatura-la The next step is to check if the Uribismo group - that has been left without an elected representative does the same. Particularly, in the event that Uribe is willing to openly support and attempts to convince voters of the most basic concerns of the Colombian right, which will not be so difficult for him. His remarks of "security" as well as 'order' opportunities, and love of fatherland' already showed that Uribe has the ability to increase votes. He confirmed this with the electoral consult, just as it was done in the past in Antioquia's Mayor Office. In a recent trip to Arauca (an area that has been particularly hit by violence), he stated "The bandits are either in prison or in the grave." Fico knows what the Colombian right-wing likes but that won't be enough for Fico.

"We aren't in the year the year 2018, where the fear of the left had worked, but this time, the voters are not influenced by fear," Basset points out. Basset says Fico might not be able to receive Uribe’s blessing because of the fact that Alvaro Uribe does not represent the only leader that the country has had since 2002 at the time Uribe was elected president. However, this doesn't mean that Uribismo's votes, even if they fall below the table, do not matter to Gutierrez. In the case this Sunday, or when he tried to gain access to Medellin's mayor's post, Uribe supported Gutierrez even though he was the candidate for the party. Uribism was also a factor in this win. Basset warns that his ability to negotiate will be measured. He will have to convince the right but not spend all of it on this alliance. https://www.elcolombiano.com/colombia/dos-candidatos-antioquenos-lograron-certificar-sus-firmas-para-la-presidencia-BF16313200 Andres Medjia vergnaud made a comment about the relationship between the former president and Fico. "The biggest issue of Federico Gutierrez's is that he would like Uribismo to vote for him, but without Uribe as a photo the image doesn't work for the man."

Gustavo Petro is the only leader on the left, but Gustavo Petro is the only one from the right. https://thebogotapost.com/fico-eyes-colombias-presidency-an-interview-with-pre-candidate-federico-gutierrez/49519/ https://thebogotapost.com/fico-eyes-colombias-presidency-an-interview-with-pre-candidate-federico-gutierrez/49519/ Fico, if he is able to negotiate, can convince him to provide his support and to take a step back. Rodolfo Hernández who was independent, is in contest. https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federico_Gutiérrez Gutierrez must include former Bucaramanga mayor, a millionaire and builder in his list of achievements if he wishes to end the petrismo.

Gutierrez will have a lot to discuss before he begins thinking about possible formulas for the presidency. But what Gutierrez does have is the support and cooperation of the other candidates for the Team for Colombia presidency. This isn't a small number. Two former mayors Enrique Penalosa(Bogota) and Alex Char (Barranquilla), are at his side. David Barguil, the chief of the party and the founder of the Conservative party, is with Aydee Zarazo. Aydee Lizarazo, a member of the Christian Party, who often vote according to her church's guidelines.

The Conservative Party was strengthened, and won the biggest right-wing vote, with over two million votes. The Conservative Party also enjoys the support of the U Party. This party has a strong vote in legislative with less than 1 million votes. The backing of Oscar Ivan Zuluaga, who has not allowed a lot of time to pass after Sunday's elections in order to accept his defeat ahead of a possible battle for the right-wing votes, gives Fico an opportunity to gain momentum within the conservatism sector, but distances him a little more from possible votes from the center. The declaration of Alvaro Uribe, the former President, who summoned his party for a meeting Tuesday, will determine whether Fico is willing to sacrifice his chances in the center to become the openly Uribe that is blessed.