Uribe No-Go Won’t Affect Colombia Economy

Colombia’s economy should not see any material impact from a court decision that bars Alvaro Uribe from running for a third term as president, say local analysts. Jose Fernando Restrepo, financial sector analyst at Medellin-based Interbolsa, says that whoever becomes the country’s next president is unlikely to stray from the 2 focal points of Uribe’s presidency: security and attracting FDI. He forecasts the country’s GDP will grow 3% in 2010. Another analyst who asks not to be identified says Uribe’s efforts to improve safety and enhance financial regulations will likely be continued. “It would be suicide for the next president to undo what Uribe has achieved,” he says. Colombia holds legislative elections March 14 and presidential elections May 30.