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POLITICAL PROGRESS IN THE FACE OF VIOLENCE |
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After so many centuries of wars and difficult struggles, it is sometimes hard to find a light in the darkness. Some strong-willed and courageous men have stood up in the face of difficulty and tried to shed light on the violent darkness within Colombia. A few of those individuals are highlighted below. Hopefully knowledge of these people can help spread the light. |
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Cesar Gavirian
Trujillo, a former Colombian president, is most widely known for his
position on the Organization of American States (OAS).
He is
currently Secretary General for the OAS, a position he has held since
1994. Among his most instrumental efforts was his involvement in
the recent crisis with Venezuela.
He helped to facilitate talks between the Venezuelan government and its
opposition. The talks finally ended in an agreement that helped
open the door for a democratic consitutional.
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Luis Carlos
Galán was a Colombian politician who founded a new political
movement during his time. The Nuevo Liberalismo
movement that he founded in 1979 was originally formed as a dissident
group of the Colombian
Liberal Party. Galán ran for Presidet in 1982 but
lost. This loss gave strength to his political movement.
After many death threats, he was assassinated in 1989 during a public
demonstration.
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Andres Pastrana became President of Colombia in June
1998. His campaign consisted of his pledge to find a solution for
the civil war that was plaguing Colombia. Right before the
elections, the peace process he promised seemed to be coming to
fruition. The Revolutionary Armed
Forces of Colombia (FARC) agreed to resume peace talks if he was
elected. Although Pastrana began peace talks with the FARC as
soon as his presidency began, the talks were often interrupted by acts
of violence and accusations that the government was not
cooperating. His dream was falling apart.
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