MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Colombian Defence minister ready to run for presidency, if Uribe quits

Juan Manuel Santos and Pte. Uribe

Juan Manuel Santos resigned Monday from his position as Colombian Defence minister, a move aimed at insuring the presidency will remain in the hands of the government of President Alvaro Uribe.

Santos would be the most likely candidate of the right-wing governing coalition if Uribe does not seek a third term or does not get the congressional approval he would need to do so. Santos, 57, said his resignation would to go into force Saturday.

“If the president decides to go for re-election, he has my complete support. That is the commitment I have made to him. If he does not do that, I will be a candidate,” Santos stressed.

Santos' exit had been expected, since public servants who want to seek the presidency on May 30, 2010 were required to leave their current positions by the end of this month.

Uribe was elected to the presidency in 2002, and he was re-elected in 2006 after a constitutional reform allowed him a second mandate.

Uribe has not yet indicated he would bid for a third term - a move that would only be possible if Congress approves another constitutional reform.

Congress is currently studying a bill by the right- wing government coalition that would allow a referendum to change the constitution so Uribe could run again. It was likely to pass, given the ruling- coalition majority in Congress.

The opposition is against such constitutional changes. However opinion polls put Uribe's popularity rating at 68% and he has been for most years of his mandate the Latinamerican leader with highest and most stable ratings of support.

Santos has been at the helm of the key Defence Ministry since mid- 2006.

As he announced his exit, Santos boasted “the most resounding results against terrorism, drug trafficking and petty crime”. The state “has recovered territory” that was once under the control of criminals, he stressed.

The main blow to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) under Santos was the bombing on a FARC camp in Ecuador on March 1, 2008, which claimed the life of FARC number two Raul Reyes among others.

On July 2, 2008 the Army carried out an undercover operation that rescued 15 hostages held by FARC, including former presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt and three US defence contractors.

Since then the number of guerrillas turning in and accepting peace programs has not ceased to increase.