Columbian populist presidential candidate, Iván Duque, has recently made waves as the youngest president elected in Columbian history. American populist presidential candidate, Donald Trump has made waves as the oldest president elected in American history. Besides their record-breaking ages, the two leaders have several key features in common when it comes to policy and timing.
Both individuals are new to the political chess game. Both with controversial policies. Both fighting even more controversial opponents.
President Duque and President Trump have both pushed the agenda of economic renewal without relent. Duque has the goal of relieving Columbia of the long-term conflicts of guerillas and dictators that have brought the reliability of the nations economy and financial system down. Trump with the goal of relieving America of the ever-growing burden of subsidies and poor trade/protection deals.
Duque's opponent was an ex-member of the guerrilla group M-19, Gustavo Petro. Petro has for years been a major voice in Columbian politics, not only serving as mayor of Bogotá but also as past presidential candidate. Trump's opponent, former first lady Hilary Clinton, who has strong support from the heavy left in America, but has had scandal after scandal after scandal thrown in the public eye. Clinton like Petro has been long standing in American politics with large amounts of influence. However, whose trust by the American people goes down and down by the day.
It is quite intriguing how two nations very different from one another can have so much in common with the most important features of the very nation. The situation begs the question as to why both countries have gone down the same political route. From a broad view Columbia and the US couldn't be more different, but with a closer look, they seem to face problems (however different) that hurt the very fabric of their nation. People are tired. Tired of the constant battle for stability both on a macro and micro scale. This stability and renewal that both candidates have promised have appeared as a step towards peace and growth not only within the nation but within the daily lives of the citizens. Fascinating to say the least.
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Ritchie, great job writing a very intriguing post! I think your post reminds us that everyone, regardless of race, religion, sex, gender or gender identity, age, or political leanings, can find similarities or “common ground.” In other words, two people or, as you have indicated, nations that couldn’t be more different can find a surprisingly ton of similarities. To be honest, I thought that Colombia was a dictatorship like most Latin American countries but I was surprised by reading your post, and 30 seconds of research on Google, that my assumptions were wrong. Reading your post reminds me of the old adage that you can never judge a book by its cover!
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