See: Keeping Up the Colombian Lie
After reading these choice cuts, ask yourself, CUI BONO?
"Colombians back peaceful presidency" by Chris Kraul, Los Angeles Times | July 13, 2008
AGUADAS, Colombia - The army's recent rescue of 15 hostages, including former presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt and three American defense contractors, boosted Uribe's already high popularity. Several polls over the weekend put his approval rating at above 80 percent.
Now the daring operation has elevated the president's chances for a third term despite constitutional hurdles and criticism that he is autocratic and intolerant of views that differ from his. Although Uribe has not said whether he will seek another term, analysts say that his overwhelming popularity makes his candidacy in 2010 a near certainty.
Uribe's domestic support is founded on building up the security forces and restoring some measure of law and order, helped by more than $5 billion in US aid. A few years ago Colombia was slipping into chaos that has seen kidnappings and murders plunge by two-thirds since he took office - although the global cocaine traffic is booming.
There has to be a connection there somewhere, no?
Talk of a third term alarms critics and admirers alike who say Uribe exhibits anti-democratic tendencies reminiscent of a Latin American caudillo, or strongman. Uribe has long denied links to right-wing paramilitary groups, and lately he and his allies have dismissed allegations of electoral bribery.
Perfect time for a "rescue," huh?
Of course, it must have been real; rescues are never lied about, are they?
