Álvaro Gómez Hurtado

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Álvaro Gómez Hurtado (born on May 8, 1919 in Bogotá- †died November 2, 1995 in Bogotá) was a Colombian lawyer, politician, journalist and active member of the Colombian Conservative Party. Gómez was son of former President of Colombia, Laureano Gómez. He is mostly remembered for being one of the fathers of the Colombian Constitution of 1991 and for failing in three occasions to win the presidential elections.

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[edit] Early years

Álvaro Gómez grew up in the traditional La Candelaria neighborhood of Bogota. He studied middle school in Brussels, Belgium and in Buenos Aires, Argentina while his father was appointed to different diplomatic missions, such as Ambassador of Colombia to Belgium. They later returned to Bogota and Gómez continued high school studies in the Colegio de San Bartolomé until graduating in 1936. He then studied Law Science in the Pontifical Xavierian University graduating as lawyer in 1941 with his thesis "Influencias del Estoicismo en el Derecho Romano" (Influences of the Estoicism in Roman Law).

[edit] Journalism

His interest in journalism was greatly influenced by his father's editorial businesses. He began writing in El Siglo newspaper which was owned by his father. He later founded a business weekly magazine called "Síntesis Económica" (Economic Synthesis) and created and produced a TV news show called "Noticiero 24 Horas" (24 Hours News).

[edit] Political career

Gómez Hurtado's first political office was held as councilman for the city of Bogota. He then ran for the Chamber of Representatives and was elected for a four year term. After finishing his term as chamber representative he san for the Senate getting elected as a result. Gómez was named "plenipotentiary minister" in many occasions. He was also appointed as Ambassador of Colombia to the United Nations, Ambassador to Switzerland, Italy, united States and France.

[edit] Presidential candidacies

Álvaro Gómez ran for the presidency of Colombia on three occasions failing to win in all; In 1974 against Alfonso Lopez Michelsen, in 1986 against Virgilio Barco and in 1990 against Cesar Gaviria. Gómez also founded the National Salvation Movement.

[edit] President of the Constituent Assembly

Thru this party he obtained the second highest voting turnout in the 1990s election and also helped to get him elected to the Constituent Assembly that ultimately created the Colombian Constitution of 1991. He was elected president of the Constituent Assembly in a collegiate figure along congressmen Horacio Serpa and Antonio Navarro. After these Gómez retired from politics and focused on journalism and academia.

[edit] Kidnapping

in 1988 Gómez was kidnapped by the M-19 guerrilla, back then led by Antonio Navarro. Navarro released him after the intervention of Álvaro Leyva.[1]

[edit] Death

Álvaro Gómez was murdered by gunmen on November 2, 1995 in Bogota while exiting the Sergio Arboleda University where he was a professor. It was later suggested that Gómez was extrajudicially killed by former members of the Colombian National Police at the service of the cartels to favor some politicians involved in the 8000 Process scandal as a former Norte del Valle Cartel member named Luis Hernando Gomez (aka "rasguño") made the comment during an interview in prison.[2]

[edit] Published work

  • La Revolución en América. (Revolution in the Americas)
  • La Calidad de Vida. (The Qualilty of Life)
  • Soy libre. (I am Free)
  • Compilación de conferencias dictadas en la Universidad Sergio Arboleda. (Compilation of his Conferences at the Sergio Arboleda University)

[edit] Family

Álvaro Gómez was married to Margarita Escobar López and had three children: Mario, Mercedes and Álvaro José. He was the son of former president of Colombia, Laureano Gómez and María Hurtado Cajiao and was the second child of four siblings; Cecilia, Rafael and Enrique.

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ (Spanish) loscolombisnos.com - Alvaro Gomez Hurtado
  2. ^ (Spanish) Revista Semana: "Alvaro Gómez Hurtado was killed by the mafia as a favor to politicians": Rasguño

[edit] References

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