Álvaro Colom

Álvaro Colom
Name	Álvaro Colom
Caption	Colom in 2008
Order	36th
Office	President of Guatemala
Term start	January 14, 2008
Term end	January 14, 2012
Vicepresident	Rafael Espada
Predecessor	Óscar Berger
Successor	Otto Pérez Molina
Birth date	15 June 1951
Birth place	Guatemala City, Guatemala
Party	National Unity of Hope
Spouse	Patricia de Arzú (div.), Sandra Torres (m. 2002; sep. 2011)
Alma mater	University of San Carlos of Guatemala
Profession	Industrial engineer

Álvaro Colom was the thirty-sixth President of Guatemala, serving a single term from 2008 to 2012. A member of the social-democratic National Unity of Hope (UNE) party, his administration focused on social programs, poverty reduction, and navigating the nation's complex recovery from the Guatemalan Civil War. His presidency was also marked by significant challenges, including the rise of powerful drug cartels, allegations of corruption, and a tumultuous relationship with the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG).

Early life and education

Álvaro Colom was born on June 15, 1951, in Guatemala City into a politically active family; his uncle, Manuel Colom Argueta, served as mayor of the capital and was a prominent political figure. He pursued higher education at the University of San Carlos of Guatemala, where he earned a degree in industrial engineering. His early career was shaped within the public sector, including a role at the National Fund for Peace (FONAPAZ), an organization created to support communities affected by the internal conflict.

Business career

Before entering politics full-time, Colom established himself in the private sector as an industrial engineer and entrepreneur. He worked in textile manufacturing and held management positions, experience that informed his later economic policies. He also served as the director of the Guatemalan Association of Exporters (AGEXPRONT), advocating for export-led growth. His business background provided him with a network of support but also later became a point of scrutiny by political opponents.

Political career

Colom's political career began in earnest when he was appointed as Vice Minister of Economy in the government of President Ramiro de León Carpio in the early 1990s. He first ran for the presidency in 1999 as the candidate for the New Nation Alliance but was defeated by Alfonso Portillo of the Guatemalan Republican Front. Undeterred, he later became the leader of the National Unity of Hope party, running again in the 2003 Guatemalan general election, where he lost to Óscar Berger. His perseverance paid off in the subsequent 2007 Guatemalan general election, where he defeated former military general Otto Pérez Molina in a runoff.

Presidency (2008–2012)

His administration launched several flagship social initiatives, most notably the conditional cash transfer program Mi Familia Progresa, aimed at combating poverty and malnutrition. He faced immense security challenges due to the expanding influence of Mexican cartels like the Zetas and Sinaloa Cartel within Guatemala. The International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG), established under his predecessor, became increasingly active during his term, investigating high-level corruption and organized crime. His relationship with the United States remained crucial, particularly through the Central America Regional Security Initiative. A major constitutional crisis erupted in 2009 when he was briefly stripped of immunity following allegations related to a murder case, though he was quickly reinstated by the Supreme Court of Justice of Guatemala.

Post-presidency and later life

After leaving office in 2012, Colom remained a figure in Guatemalan politics, though often overshadowed by legal controversies and the political career of his former wife, Sandra Torres. He faced ongoing investigations, including a high-profile case in 2018 related to the Transurbano public transport scandal, which led to a period of pretrial detention. He continued to comment on national affairs and the work of the CICIG, which was later expelled by his successor, Jimmy Morales. His later years were also dedicated to writing and reflecting on his political experiences.

Personal life

Colom was married twice; his first marriage was to Patricia de Arzú, with whom he had children. In 2002, he married politician Sandra Torres, a union that became a central feature of his public life during his presidency. Their controversial legal separation in 2011, undertaken to allow Torres to run for president, sparked significant political and ethical debate. He is the father of three children and has maintained a public profile through various intellectual and civil society engagements following his political career.

Category:Presidents of Guatemala Category:1951 births Category:National Unity of Hope politicians Category:University of San Carlos of Guatemala alumni Category:Living people