El fin de Uribismo o solo de Uribe?

The Constitutional Court of Colombia has ruled that Alvaro Uribe cannot vie for a third presidential term. Let's back up for a moment. In 2005, Uribe pushed through changes to the constitution in order to run for a second term. Although this second term was marked by wiretapping, bribery, and paramilitary scandals, violence decreased and his popularity remained high.

Now Uribe, one of the strongest US allies in the hemisphere, has said he will accept the decision of the court and start grooming a successor for the May 30 vote (and a June run-off). He favors Juan Manuel Santos, the ultimate insider, who stepped down as defense minister last May. His family looms large in Colombian politics and he helped found Uribe's political party which has held a working coalition together throughout his two terms.

This is a positive development for Colombian democracy, whoever the next president is. For better or worse, Colombia need to extend security to its entire population through stronger institutions not the will and political might of one man.