Colombian politician Piedad Cordoba, removed from her country’s senate over alleged ties to rebel group FARC, has said she aspires to be Colombia’s next president, Venezuelan media reported Saturday.
The controversial politician made the remarks in the neighboring country where she was attending a memorial service for late President Hugo Chavez.
According to several Venezuelan media, the former senator said “I want to be the next president of Colombia. I am a child of Chavez and of [Simon] Bolivar” adding that “the first thing I will do is make peace” in her home country that’s been in a violent conflict with leftist rebel groups and the state since 1964.
“With a country in peace, … Latin American sister countries will see in Colombia a profitable and secure country,” Cordoba was quoted as saying.
The former senator reportedly also said the United States “seeks to invade Latin America.”
PROFILE: Piedad Cordoba
Colombia will take to the polls in 2014 to elect a new Congress and a new president.
Cordoba is currently barred from holding any public office, including that of the president.
While the controversial politician has a strong following particularly among marginalized, progressive and leftist Colombians, she consistently has ranked lowest in popularity polls.
Despite domestic controversy, Cordoba was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2009 for her efforts to bring peace to her country and mediation that resulted in the release of hostages held by the FARC.
Sources
- Piedad Córdoba se declara “hija de Chávez” y anuncia que quiere “ser Presidenta de Colombia” (Noticias24)
- Piedad Córdoba aspirará a la candidatura presidencial en Colombia (Telesur)
