Carlos Lemos Simmonds

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Carlos Apolinar Lemos Simmonds
In office
January 12, 1998 – January 24, 1998
President Ernesto Samper Pizano
In office
September 19, 1997 – August 7, 1998
President Ernesto Samper Pizano
Preceded by Humberto De la Calle
Succeeded by Gustavo Bell
In office
March 12, 1981 – August 7, 1982
President Julio César Turbay Ayala
Preceded by Diego Uribe Vargas
Succeeded by Rodrigo Lloreda Caicedo
Minister of Telecomunications
President Virgilio Barco
In office
1989 – 1990
President Virgilio Barco
Preceded by Orlando Vásquez Velásquez
Succeeded by Horacio Serpa Uribe
In office
1995 – 1996
President Ernesto Samper Pizano
In office
1996 – 1997
President Ernesto Samper Pizano
Born October 23, 1933
Popayán, Cauca
Died July 30, 2003 (aged 69)
Bogotá, Capital District
Political party Colombian Liberal Party
Spouse Marta Blanco
Alma mater Caldas University
Occupation Lawyer, Diplomat, Writer, Journalist
Religion Roman Catholic

Carlos Apolinar Lemos Simmonds (born October 23, 1933 in Popayán, Cauca – died July 30, 2003 in Bogotá, Cundinamarca) was a Colombian politician and journalist that served as President and Vice President of Colombia in 1997. It is the only vice president of Colombia to become president in the Colombian Constitution of 1991 era under the statutes of the presidential line of succession, after President Ernesto Samper absented due to health problems.

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[edit] Early years

Lemos went to middle school in the Colegio Champagnat in the city of Popayán for high school he went to the University of Cauca Liceum, he continue studying in this same institution until graduating as a lawyer. During these years Lemos married Marta Blanco.

[edit] Political Career

After graduating Lemos worked as a Municipal Judge in the town of Piendamó, Cauca. He later transferred to Bogotá where he was elected councilman in the early 1970s for three consecutives terms. He then run for the Chamber of Representatives of Colombia. During the government of President Julio César Turbay Lemos was appointed as Secretary General of the Presidency of Colombia. In the same administration he was promoted to minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, after that he was shifted to different ministries, Ministry of Government, Ministry of Telecomunications.

Lemos served later as Ambassador of Colombia to the Organization of American States (OAS), drafter of the Colombian Constitution of 1991, Ambassador of Colombia to Austria, Ambassador of Colombia to Great Britain, senator, vice president and president of Colombia temporarily.

As a member of the Colombian Foreign Affairs Commission contributed to resolve the dispute over San Andrés y Providencia Islands in the Caribbean sea between Colombia and Nicaragua for territorial waters. He also negotiated the peace process with the M-19 guerrilla.

[edit] Jornalism

Lemos was also a notable journalist, writer and historian. He was a regular columnist for the Colombian newspaper El Espacio titled "Entre la Romana y el Pasaje" and also worked as its subdirector. Lemos founded the Diario Liberal newspaper and was once an owner of the Revista Consigna magazine.

[edit] Pueblished work

Books

  • "Memorias de un antigobierno" (Memories of an antigovernment)
  • "El Estado Ladrón" (The Thief State)
  • "El Rescate de la moral" (The Rescue of Moral)
  • "Turbay, de la Base a la Cumbre" (Turbay, from the base to the peak)
  • "Santander".

Newspaper articles

  • "Opinión" (Opinion), a column in El Tiempo newspaper.
  • Revista Diners, articles.
  • Diario Liberal, articles.

TV

Conducted a political TV shows called "Mesa de Café" (Coffee table), "Debates Caracol" (Caracol Debates in Caracol TV) and "Fuerza de la Historia" (Force of History).

[edit] Death

Lemos suffered from Cancer and his last days were spent in the Clínica del Country, hospitalized and decaying tired and losing weight. He finally died on July 30, 2003.

[edit] References

Languages