Diplomatist Magazine Diplomatist August 2018 | Page 34

SPOTLIGHT
The focal point of President-elect Obrador’s
campaign was to end corruption and bring about
transparency in the government. He has also focussed
on the need to engage with the youth and end drug
war and related violence. There are question marks
on to what extent he will continue with some of the
reforms that were stated by President Enrique Pena
Neito - especially in the telecommunication, energy
and education sector. While the President-elect has
not yet announced his foreign policy, he has stated he
would continue relations with the United States based
on ‘friendship and cooperation’.
On NAFTA, Obrador has been a critic of the
agreement. Nonetheless, he has stated that he will
continue the negotiations with America and Canada
on the same lines as the current government. His
government would not like relations with the United
States or the negotiations for NAFTA to collapse as it
would have an adverse effect on the Mexican economy
and undermine the government’s ability to fi ght poverty.
Colombia
The peace process in Colombia – between the
government and the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces
of Colombia) – may have garnered former President Juan
Manuel Santos international appreciation; nonetheless,
within Colombia it has been an emotive issue. The newly
elected youngest and the fi rst right-wing President of
Colombia, Mr. Ivan Duque, is a candidate who opposed
the peace process. The deal initially failed to pass a
referendum with voters opposed to the guarantees of
softer sentencing for rebel leaders and guaranteed seats
in the Congress. It was later amended and ratifi ed by
lawmakers, a move some viewed as undemocratic.
President Duque has stated that he will relook the
most contentious issues of the deal, an issue that has
found a lot of support with the voters. While he has also
stated that he remains committed to Colombia's peace
process, Mr. Duque adds that the deal is too lenient on
former guerrilla fi ghters who are accused of war crimes.
He has also pledged to improve the economy and boost
investments into the country.
Mr Duque's running mate, Marta Lucía Ramirez, has
become the country's fi rst ever female vice-president.
Together they would have to work to improve relations
with their neighbour Venezuela. Venezuelan President
Nicolas Maduro, has accused the outgoing Colombian
President Santos of attempting to assassinate him at
a military event in Caracas. Maduro has also accused
Colombia of trying to undermine his country’s
government.
President Duque has stated
that he will relook the most
contentious issues of the deal,
an issue that has found a lot of
support with the voters.
President-Elect Ivan Duque
34 • Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Diplomatist • Vol 6 • Issue 8 • August 2018, Noida