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Lecture: "Defending Democracy, Reflections of former Colombian President Alvaro Uribe"
Video Presentation
On March 27, former Colombian President Alvaro Uribe spoke to members of the security community gathered at the National Defense University on the topic of “Defending Democracy.” CHDS Director Dr. Richard Downie gave a warm welcome to the attendees, composed of representatives from the United States and 10 other countries, after which he introduced President Uribe, who, he said, was responsible for Colombia’s turnaround from a “failed state to a flourishing democracy.”
President Uribe credited Colombia’s transformation in the eight years of his administration to a move away from the vicious circle of poverty, violence, poverty, violence to the virtuous circle of security, investment policy, social policy—what he called The Triangle of Trust. He emphasized the role of security: “Security is the path to the creation of Democracy.” He also stressed the importance of inviting investment from the private sector to boost economic growth and the advancement of social cohesion.
CHDS Assistant Professor of National Security Affairs Guillermo Pacheco engages former President Alvaro Uribe during the question-and-answer session.
President Uribe’s presentation was followed by a question-and-answer session, which touched on such subjects as drug legalization, the security of the border between Colombia and Ecuador, and relations with Iran.
