Caracol: Sabatini Discusses Signs of a Stronger Democracy in Colombia

AS/COA Senior Director of Policy Christopher Sabatini gave an interview to Caracol's America 360, speaking about Colombia's next elections and the political climate in the country.

Commenting on the latest developments leading up to the Colombian elections—such as former President Álvaro Uribe’s candidacy for a senate seat—Sabatini welcomed the idea of ex-presidents and political influencers rejoining political institutions in Latin America. "The mere idea that he will run again in the institutional network to be elected, or re-elected in this case, is a great merit to the country," he explained. "This is a man who was someone with a Twitter account before—shouting and criticizing. Now at least he is a candidate, aiming to form a more coherent political position."

Speaking about recent protests in Colombia, Sabatini said a wave of popular demands throughout the region is expected after Latin America's decades of economic development. He considers the Colombian government's negotiation proposals a step ahead of responses to protests in neighboring countries like Argentina, Brazil, and Chile.

[in Spanish, starting at 10:15]