The announcement comes almost two decades after Betancourt was kidnapped by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia while also campaigning for the country’s top office for the Green Oxygen Party, a movement she founded while she was a congresswoman.
Betancourt’s story is well known in Colombia. She spent six years in guerrilla camps deep in the Amazon jungle, where sometimes rebel fighters would tie her to a tree with metal chains to prevent her from escaping. Her proof of life videos, in which she asked officials to investigate the circumstances that led to her own kidnapping, and then pleaded with the government to resume peace talks with the FARC rebels were aired widely in Colombia and abroad.
But she returned to Colombia’s political scene last year as the country prepared for elections that will be held in May. While announcing her run for the presidency Betancourt said she would fight to end impunity for corrupt politicians while addressing economic disparities that have long afflicted Colombia, where protests against inequality shook up local politics last year.
In the primary, Betancourt will have to compete against younger candidates who are less known internationally, but have been more active in Colombian politics in recent years. They include Sen. Juan Manuel Galan, whose father was murdered in the late eighties while running for the presidency and Alejandro Gaviria, a former health minister who helped to implement a government ban on the aerial fumigation of coca crops.
“The main feeling now among voters is one of frustration with a system that does not provide opportunities” Guzman said. “And there are other candidates who have been doing a good job tapping into that feeling.”
I've been held hostage by Covid for almost 3 years now. Does that qualify me to run for President?
We have summarized this news so that you can read it quickly. If you are interested in the news, you can read the full text here. Read more:
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
IL governor race: Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin announces run with Avery Bourne as running mateAurora Mayor Richard Irvin announced his run for Illinois governor Monday with State Rep. Avery Bourne as his running mate.
Source: ABC7Chicago - 🏆 284. / 63 Read more »
Bobby Kotick to Continue as CEO of Activision BlizzardIn case you somehow missed the bombshell news this morning, Microsoft has announced plans to [...] Damn shame You figure they will since they're not really going to close this until 2023 probably
Source: ComicBook - 🏆 65. / 68 Read more »
The AP Interview: Exiled artist Ai Weiwei on Beijing Games | AP NewsAi Weiwei is one of China's most famous artists, and many regard him as one of the world's greatest living ones. Working with the Swiss architectural firm Herzog & de Meuron, he helped design the Bird's Nest Stadium, the centerpiece of Beijing's 2008 Summer Olympics. People still bringing up trump have some serious TDS. Get vaxed for that folks 😂 Reuters nytvideo UMGNashville SonyNashville mercuryrecords BMGNashville MusicCityMemo WE COULD ALL USE SOME GOOD VIBES THESE DAYS…FEEL FREE TO SHARE: He is just jealous of China's achievement
Source: AP - 🏆 728. / 51 Read more »
Boy, 4, Allegedly Kidnapped by Male Babysitter Found Dead Near Theme ParkThe search for a missing 4-year-old boy has come to an end as his body was found near a theme park five days after being abducted by his babysitter
Source: thedailybeast - 🏆 307. / 63 Read more »
Airlines again warn of potential disruption from 5G rollout | AP NewsThe airline industry is raising the stakes in a showdown with AT&T and Verizon over plans to launch new 5G wireless service this week, warning that thousands of flights could be grounded or delayed if the rollout takes place near major airports. Fear mongering bullshit Who is going to fix this? Who is going to take responsibility for adding the necessary filters to fix the issue? This is stupid.
Source: AP - 🏆 728. / 51 Read more »
Hong Kong to kill 2,000 animals after hamsters get COVID-19 | AP NewsHONG KONG (AP) — Hong Kong authorities said Tuesday that they will kill about 2,000 small animals, including hamsters, after several tested positive for the coronavirus at a pet store where an employee was also infected. Which coronavirus? The ones that cause common cold? Hamsters clearly being selfish and not doing their part to stop the virus and support voting rights. How did they get it.
Source: AP - 🏆 728. / 51 Read more »