US embassy cable - 05BOGOTA2216

C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 002216 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SOUTHCOM FOR POLAD 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/07/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, CO 
SUBJECT: LIBERAL PARTY LEADER ON PLANS FOR 2006 ELECTORAL 
SEASON 
 
 
Classified By: Ambassador William B. Wood.  Reasons: 1.4 B & D. 
 
1.  (SBU) Senator Juan Fernando Cristo, the President of the 
Officialist Liberal Party (PLC), told us that his party's 
planning for the 2006 electoral season is still in the early 
stages.  Cristo believed that a nationwide party primary 
would be the vehicle to select its presidential nominee.  He 
identified former Bogota Mayor Enrique Penalosa, two-time 
failed presidential nominee Horacio Serpa, Senator Rodrigo 
Rivera, and perhaps Senator Rafael Pardo as the likely 
aspirants.  While the Party might still consider letting 
President Uribe run for the nomination in the primary, he 
believed that the chances were slim. 
 
2.  (SBU) Cristo commented that ongoing negotiations between 
dissident, pro-Uribe Liberals and the PLC had been fruitless. 
 While Cristo admitted that some PLC leaders would welcome 
President Uribe (himself a former PLC member) as a competitor 
for the nomination, he held out little hope for such a 
possibility.  Former president and OAS SYG Cesar Gaviria, 
Cristo said, was not interested in a presidential run but 
would likely become the PLC's next head during the summer. 
 
3.  (C) Comment:  The PLC is in disarray.  There are rumors 
that the PLC could join forces with several parties of the 
left for 2006 (septel).  Nonetheless, the PLC is still 
Colombia's largest party, which holds the majority of 
governorships and has majorities in most departmental 
legislatures.  Were the Constitutional Court to strike down 
reelection, the PLC's presidential prospects could change 
dramatically. 
WOOD