- Title: 'Fico' Gutierrez: the politician seeking to prevent Colombia's left from power
- Date: 26th May 2022
- Summary: BOGOTA, COLOMBIA (FILE - MARCH 13, 2022) (REUTERS) ***WARNING: CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** VARIOUS OF GUTIERREZ DURING RALLY CELEBRATION GUTIERREZ’S RALLY CAMPAIGN / ATTENDEES WAVING CAMPAIGN FLAGS (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, FEDERICO GUTIERREZ SAYING: "I call on all sectors, political, social, citizens who are not affiliated with any party. Come together and we will win in the first round. Let’s defeat populist, authoritarian projects that today are on their way." BOGOTA, COLOMBIA (FILE – MARCH 21, 2022) (REUTERS) HIGH VIEW OF PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE INSIDE TV STUDIO
- Embargoed: 9th June 2022 16:59
- Keywords: Colombia Federico Gutierrez Presidential candidate Presidential debate candidates
- Location: VARIOUS LOCATIONS, COLOMBIA
- City: VARIOUS LOCATIONS, COLOMBIA
- Country: Colombia
- Topics: South America / Central America,Government/Politics,Elections/Voting
- Reuters ID: LVA002094326052022RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: With a unity speech and under the 'Fico, the people’s president' slogan, the former Mayor of Medellin Federico Gutierrez, a centre-right politician, seeks to become the next president of Colombia and block the presidency of the left party which he accuses of wanting to plunge the country into chaos.
The 47-year-old civil engineer ruled Medellin, the second-most populous city in Colombia and an important industrial centre in the South American country between 2016 and 2019 after he won the mayor's office without the support of a traditional political party, but with the support of thousands of citizens.
Gutierrez, whom his followers call 'Fico', will face six other candidates on Sunday (May 29), including the leftist Gustavo Petro, the independent Rodolfo Hernandez and the centrist candidate Sergio Fajardo to define the replacement of President Ivan Duque.
The candidate of the ‘Team for Colombia’ coalition appears second in polls behind Petro and has the support of traditional parties such as the Conservatives and the Liberals who are concerned about an eventual victory of the left in a country historically governed by right-wing leaders or centre-right.
Although he is new to national politics, he defines himself as an ordinary citizen, a middle-class man, and a leader who sees politics as a calling aimed at serving the people and improving their quality of life.
Between 2004 and 2011, he was the Medellin councillor for two consecutive terms and worked as a security consultant in Buenos Aires, Argentina and Celaya, Mexico.
The candidate who usually wears jeans, sports shoes, and shirts without a tie, remembers that as Medellin’s mayor, his hometown, he ruled from the streets, walking and listening to the people, a style he wants to maintain if he is elected president.
His government program focuses on four pillars: The fight against corruption, the strengthening of safety and security, economic growth to generate employment, and the reduction of poverty and inequality.
A friend of the free market, free enterprise, mining and the extraction of hydrocarbons with respect for the environment, Gutiérrez announced that he will seek for the fourth-largest economy in the Americas to grow at least 5% annually to guarantee the resources of social investment aimed at improving education, health, housing and access to drinking water.
Married and father of two children, he said one of his priorities will be to restore security in the cities and rural areas where the guerrillas of the National Liberation Army, the FARC dissidents that rejected a peace agreement and criminal gangs are fighting for territorial control of key areas for drug trafficking and illegal mining.
Unlike Petro, his main rival, Gutiérrez would have a better chance of getting his proposals and government program approved in congress where the centre-right and right-wing parties could form a solid coalition, according to analysts.
Although he has tried to make a difference, his critics accuse him of representing the continuity of the current Ivan Duque government and of having the covert support of former President Alvaro Uribe, considered by some the powerful man in Colombian politics.
The candidate assures that he is neither from the right nor from the left and that his only purpose is to serve the country to make it a place with opportunities for all.
Those close to Gutierrez describe him as a determined, relaxed, open-minded person, with a character who enjoys spending his free time with his family, riding a bicycle, running and playing with his two dogs.
The politician enjoys eating hamburgers, pasta and rice, as well as listening to vallenato music, a native rhythm of the Colombian north coast while playing sports.
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