<imgsrc="http://blog.heritage.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/uribe_081021.jpg" alt="Colombias President Alvaro Uribe at the White House, Sept. 20, 2008" /></p>No greater dilemma faced the Colombian political system in recent months than the issue of presidential re-election.* Should a constitutional referendum be held to allow a popular, extremely effective leader to run, and likely win, a third term as president? For many Colombians, President Alvaro Uribe had become the indispensable leader.
Yet, across the political spectrum, many friends of Colombia worried about the impact of such <ahref="http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/03/04/uribe_checks_out">concentrated power on the congress and judiciary.* A third term for Uribe would damage <ahref="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/08/AR2010030803294.html?hpid=opinionsbox1">democratic belief in the alterability of executive power and resemble what* authoritarian populist Hugo Chavez is doing to destroy democracy in Venezuela.
On February 27, the <ahref="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/27/world/americas/27colombia.html">Colombian Supreme Court rejected the holding of a referendum.<spanid="more-28624"></span>
History will record that President Uribe [2002-2010] was a transformative president and a strategic visionary who save his nation from collapse, restored national confidence and pride, and blazed a path linking security with democracy.* In the fight against drugs and terrorism, the U.S. found in Uribe a responsible and effective partner.
While the Bush Administration recognized <ahref="http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2009/01/20090113-7.html">Uribes achievements, the Obama Administration and Congress have maintained a distant posture. While advancing security cooperation with Colombia, the Democrats have failed to deliver on the <ahref="http://www.ustr.gov/trade-agreements/free-trade-agreements/colombia-fta">Free Trade Agreement signed in 2006.* More than three years of inaction has cost the U.S. jobs and market share.
The Obama Administration warmly applauded Uribe in a <ahref="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/08/AR2010030803294.html?hpid=opinionsbox1">recent letter .* It can take the next step by recognizing the maturity of Colombias democracy and pushing for congressional passage of the trade agreement. *This action would be a fitting tribute to Colombias democratic progress, foremost, and a final, well-earned tribute to President Uribe.