Iván Duque Márquez

Iván Duque Márquez is a Colombian politician who served as the President of Colombia from 2018 to 2022. He was a member of the Centro Democrático party, founded by Álvaro Uribe. Duque Márquez was elected as the President of Colombia in the 2018 Colombian presidential election, defeating Gustavo Petro in the second round. He took office on August 7, 2018, succeeding Juan Manuel Santos.

● Early Life and Education

Iván Duque Márquez was born in Bogotá, Colombia, to Iván Duque Escobar and Julio César Duque. He studied Economics at Sergio Arboleda University and later earned a Master's degree in Public Administration from Georgetown University. Duque Márquez also attended Harvard University as a Fulbright Scholar. He began his career in the public sector at the Inter-American Development Bank and later worked at the Andean Development Corporation. Duque Márquez was also a consultant for the United Nations and the World Bank.

● Political Career

Duque Márquez's political career began when he was appointed as the Director of the Instituto de Financiamiento del Sector Agropecuario by President Andrés Pastrana. He later served as a consultant for the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development during the administration of President Álvaro Uribe. In 2014, Duque Márquez was elected as a Senator of Colombia for the Centro Democrático party. He was a strong supporter of Álvaro Uribe and played a key role in the party's opposition to the Peace process in Colombia negotiated by Juan Manuel Santos and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia.

● Presidency

As the President of Colombia, Duque Márquez focused on issues such as Security and Economic growth. He implemented policies aimed at reducing Poverty and increasing Investment in the country. Duque Márquez also sought to strengthen relations with neighboring countries, including Venezuela, Ecuador, and Peru. He attended the United Nations General Assembly and met with world leaders, including Donald Trump, Emmanuel Macron, and Angela Merkel. Duque Márquez was also a key player in the Lima Group, a regional organization that aimed to address the Venezuelan crisis.

● Policies and Initiatives

During his presidency, Duque Márquez implemented several policies and initiatives, including the Pacto por el Empleo and the Pacto por la Equidad. He also launched the Plan Nacional de Desarrollo, a comprehensive development plan aimed at reducing poverty and increasing economic growth. Duque Márquez was a strong supporter of the Free Trade Agreement between Colombia and the United States, and he sought to strengthen trade relations with other countries, including China, Japan, and the European Union. He also implemented policies aimed at protecting the Environment, including the creation of the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development.

● Personal Life

Duque Márquez is married to María Juliana Ruiz and has three children. He is a practicing Catholic and has been involved in various charitable organizations, including the Fundación Pies Descalzos, founded by Shakira. Duque Márquez is also a fan of Football and has attended several matches of the Colombia national football team. He has been recognized for his work in promoting Social responsibility and Corporate social responsibility, and has received awards from organizations such as the World Economic Forum and the Inter-American Development Bank.

● Controversies and Criticisms

During his presidency, Duque Márquez faced several controversies and criticisms, including his handling of the Venezuelan migrant crisis and his response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He was also criticized for his policies on Taxation and Labor rights, which were seen as favoring the wealthy and large corporations. Duque Márquez was also accused of being too close to Álvaro Uribe and the Centro Democrático party, and of not doing enough to address issues such as Corruption and Inequality. He faced opposition from various groups, including the FARC and the ELN, and was criticized by international organizations such as the United Nations and the European Union. Despite these challenges, Duque Márquez remained a popular figure in Colombia, and his approval ratings remained high throughout his presidency. Category:Presidents of Colombia