Belisario Betancur
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Belisario Betancur Cuartas | ||
Image:Belisario betancur.gif |
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38th President of the Republic of Colombia
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In office August 7, 1982 – August 7, 1986 |
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Preceded by | Julio César Turbay Ayala | |
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Succeeded by | Virgilio Barco Vargas | |
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Born | February 4th, 1923 == Headline text == Yo Te Amo
[edit] Headline textInsert non-formatted text here'''I love You!!!'''Amagá, Antioquia |
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Political party | Conservative |
Belisario Betancur Cuartas (February 4, 1923, Amagá, Antioquia Department) is a Colombian statesman, the President of Colombia from 1982 to 1986.
[edit] Early years
Betancur earned a Law and Economics degree from the Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana in Medellín in 1947.
He began his political career as a Deputy to the Assembly of the Colombian province of Antioquia, where he served form 1945 to 1947. He also served as a Representative to the National Chamber for the departments of Cundinamarca and Antioquia, and was a member of the National Constituent Assembly from 1953 to 1957.
Betancur was the Minister of Labor in 1963 and Ambassador of Colombia to Spain from 1975 to 1977.
[edit] Presidency
In 1982 he was elected President of the Republic and served until 1986. As President, he began the Grupo de Contadora por la Paz en Centroamérica, began democratic reforms by incorporating the principal armed movements into civil life, promoted low-cost housing and open universities, began a literacy campaign and endorsed tax amnesty.
During his term, the government approved the mayoral election law, municipal and departmental reforms, judicial and congressional reforms, the television statute, the federal holiday law, and the new Código Contencioso Administrativo. His administration began the exploration and export of coal in the Cerrejón North region and the broadcast of the regional television channels Teleantioquia and Telecaribe.
Betancur is also noted for his attempts to bring peace to his country. During his administration he initiated peace talks with several Colombian guerilla groups. The controversial Palace of Justice siege occurred in late 1985, less than a year before the end of his presidential term.
[edit] Post-Presidency
Betancur is currently the Vice-president of the Club of Rome for Latin America, President of the Commission for Truth in the El Salvadorian peace process, President of the Pan-American Health Office in Washington, and President of the Santillana for Latin America Foundation in Bogotá.
[edit] Honors
Betancur is the recipient of an honorary doctorate from the Universities of Colorado and Georgetown, and the Prince of Asturias Peace Award (Spain). He is the author of numerous books and a member of the Colombian Academies of History, Jurisprudence and Language.
Preceded by Julio César Turbay Ayala |
President of Colombia 1982–1986 |
Succeeded by Virgilo Barco Vargas |