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🇻🇪 Venezuela /Elections & Politics

"Timochenko" backs Iván Cepeda for presidential runoff, criticizes Petro administration

From El Nacional · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Rodrigo Londoño, former FARC leader known as "Timochenko," publicly endorsed Iván Cepeda for the presidential runoff election.
  • Londoño urged supporters to back Cepeda, emphasizing the historical significance of the decision for the country's future and children.
  • He also criticized aspects of President Gustavo Petro's administration, citing unfulfilled promises and difficulties faced by peace agreement signatories, while acknowledging some progress.

Rodrigo Londoño, the former commander of the FARC guerrilla group and a signatory of the Final Peace Agreement, has officially declared his support for Iván Cepeda in the upcoming presidential runoff election. In a message to members of "Defendamos la Paz" (Let's Defend Peace), Londoño stressed the urgency of the moment, stating there is "no room for uncertainty" and calling for enthusiastic backing of the senator.

there is no room for uncertainty regarding the electoral decision

— Rodrigo LondoñoAnnouncing his support for Iván Cepeda in the presidential runoff.

Londoño shared a personal anecdote about his young son asking who he would vote for, prompting a reflection on the political decisions shaping the nation's future. He urged his followers to rise to the historical occasion, asserting that "doubting or causing doubt at this moment loses us." He emphasized that the path forward must be embraced with enthusiasm and clarity.

We have to be up to the moment in history, the future of girls and boys like JR, who naively begins to glimpse the world of adults and their decisions, will depend on the decision we make as a people.

— Rodrigo LondoñoReflecting on the importance of the election for future generations.

While firmly backing Cepeda, Londoño also voiced criticisms of the current administration led by President Gustavo Petro. He pointed to unfulfilled promises and bureaucratic hurdles faced by those who signed the peace accord, noting inconsistencies and improvisations. Londoño specifically mentioned the exclusion of a dedicated chapter on the peace agreement from the National Development Plan and difficulties encountered by representatives of signatories within the National Protection Unit.

It is impossible to have doubts at this moment about which is the path to follow and which we must work on with enthusiasm and without ambiguity so that others also adopt it.

— Rodrigo LondoñoUrging decisive action and support for his chosen candidate.

Despite these criticisms, Londoño acknowledged advancements made under Petro's government, particularly in addressing the root causes of violence in Colombia. He highlighted Cepeda's long-standing commitment to peace, referencing his participation in the Havana peace talks and assuring that "no one here doubts Iván Cepeda's vocation for peace."

Doubting or causing doubt at this moment loses us.

— Rodrigo LondoñoEmphasizing the need for clear commitment to his political stance.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Nacional in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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