Speech by Oscar Ivan Zuluaga (Democratic Centre) after the first round of the presidential elections, Bogota, May 25, 2014



Bogota, May 25, 2014


"Colombians: THANK YOU!

All my gratitude to the Colombian people for this wonderful democratic journey that we have lived. I thank all who have given me their support; each of the voters who have allowed me to be in the second round. And thanks to the men and women who strengthened our democracy by casting their votes the other candidates. To them all, my deepest respect.

A special thanks to my wife and lifelong companion, Martha Ligia. I also thank my parents, who have been the foundation of my education and the best example of righteousness. Thanks also to my children and have consistently worked with me, giving me the strength that only the family can give. I am convinced that the family is the vital core of any society.

I also want to thank my running mate Carlos Holmes Trujillo and Mrs. Alba Lucia, our party, the Democratic Centre; their leaders across the country, the millions of citizens who identify with it. Former President Alvaro Uribe, all gratitude. You returned the country and we hope to recover their flags.

I greet and thank the police and military of the country, also their families. Thanks to their selfless and silent sacrifice democracy is manifested.

My contenders after a tough battle, now we turn the page.

I want to thank Dr. Marta Lucia Ramirez and acknowledge their leadership, their mood, their patriotic vocation and preparation. The I invite, motivated by mutual respect that we have built, to unite efforts on behalf of Colombia and build the change our country needs and craves.

I also thank Dr. Clara Lopez campaign we've shared, exchanging ideas, controverting with respect and above all exposing our respective state vision.

I also want to acknowledge Dr. Enrique Penalosa. Their presence in debates was the reflection of a tough long career in public service and vocation for urban transformation. You have always had and will have my respect.

Today begins a new election!

Within days, on 15 June, we will decide if we want more of it or if we change to improve Colombia.

If we continue with an increasingly insecure country or build a country with more safety, as we had between 2002 and 2010, struggling frontally against drug trafficking and micro-traffic, filling our cities of security cameras and improving salaries our security forces.

If we continue with a poor quality education according to international surveys, or if we go to a quality public education, with the full day of 8 hours per day in schools; with technical training from high school; better salaries for teachers; and free access to higher education for the poorest. A quality public education is the only way to provide a better future with more opportunities to all young people in Colombia. All young, all mothers and fathers, I promise you that I will be the president of education.

We will have to decide whether to continue with the endless queues and poor patient care, or whether we will change for a health system that deals with love and respect for the patient, where he is the priority, with the national card SISBÉN, increased of hospital infrastructure to help reduce queues and more drugs included in the benefit plan.

We must decide whether we continue with a centralized management and absent or we will change for government closest to the people, to listen to all, to govern from San Andres, Providencia and Santa Catalina to Leticia, from the Pacific to the eastern plains, helping farmers, small towns and cities across the country. The agricultural sector we will benefit programs debt relief for the small farmer, we will achieve interest rates that do not exceed the DTF, will substantially reduce production costs and technical assistance is the main input for improving the competitiveness of the economy rural.

I know your needs because I have traveled the country as an officer, you go around as a candidate and I will continue traveling as President of Colombia to bring solutions and maintain fraternal dialogue with all Colombians.

My commitment is to work for peace in our country, a serious, responsible and lasting peace. For a just peace based on demonstrable facts and end the violence that is so damaging to our country will. I guarantee you that I will work every day to achieve peace Colombia. Peace yes; but a peace that benefits only the Colombian people.

We will build a more prosperous, secure and just Colombia. Beyond the differences that separate us, there is a great cause that unites us change our country, advancing with better opportunities for all and no longer on the impasse which we live. I guarantee that they will not want to miss work, no desire to Colombia trazarle a new path of economic and social development.

If I have their confidence, they can be sure that I will be the president of the 47 million Colombians, without excluding anyone. I want my country, our Colombia, is different. We manage to give our children a better life than we had, with security, education, health, decent housing and real peace with justice. We can not let the FARC intend to command the country from Havana. The President can not and must not be manipulated by the FARC, the main drug cartel in the country.

The President should be an example for citizens, especially for young people. If the president allows impunity for those who committed atrocities and crimes against humanity crimes, you will be transmitted the message that is the same to be honest who commit crimes, kill to save lives, because in the end there is no punishment for that wrongdoing nor justice for victims.

Finally, I want to tell everyone that I will continue with a campaign proposals. The stones throw me I'll pick Colombia to build a different, working with everyone, without distinction of party, ruling in the shirt of our country.

We will make a government in which the workers, youth, professionals and women have participation for the wonderful job of making our Colombia a great nation, a leader in innovation and quality education, economic growth, job creation and social justice.

Again I thank all Colombians. Here there are no winners or losers, just have a new opportunity to decide together what is best for our country to continue with what we have experienced in the last four years or change course for all Colombians, improving what but already he started doing everything that was not done and that our people so desperately needs.

The Registrar for its agility and efficiency in the electoral process, our recognition.

In the media, fundamental in strengthening the political debate and democracy, our invitation to balanced information that allows us to freely disseminate our proposals.

I invite our voters to come out to the streets to explain our proposals to demonstrate that real change is possible. I want each of you to be a spokesman for the campaign that adds to all Colombians who want a fairer and more and better opportunities for all country.

May God bless our beloved Colombia and he enlighten all Colombians in the decision on the country we want from August 7.

Thank you".
