Armando Benedetti
Encyclopedia
Armando Alberto Benedetti Villaneda (born August 29, 1967) is the former President of the Senate of Colombia. A journalist and Party of the U politician, he has been a Senator of Colombia since 2006, and has also served as a Member of the Chamber of Representatives of Colombia
, and as Councillor
for Bogotá
.
. His father is former minister Armando Benedetti. He studied communications at the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Bogotá
and later did post graduate studies in journalism. Between 1990 and part of 1991 he worked as a reporter for the national TV news show QAP Noticias.
in 1991 as advisor during the Constituent Assembly of Colombia
which developed and approved the Colombian Constitution of 1991
. In 1991 he also worked for Ministry of Economic Development as specialized professional. He also worked for the Intra, the now disappeared National highway institute for which he was appointed Secretary General of Public establishments between 1992 and 1993. Worked then for Ecosalud (former Etesa) in 1996 as Commercial Vice-President until 1997.
.
During the administration of Penalosa, Benedetti denounced over costs on public works such as the construction of bollards and proposed numerous projects including Project 25 of 1998 which established educational workshops in all the capital district educational institutions to prevent alcoholism, smoking and drug addiction.
for the legislative elections of 1998 to represent Bogotá
. He was reelected in the legislative elections of 2002
also for the period 2002-2006. During his term he promoted the referendum, the anti-terrorism statute, the military vote, the presidential reelection, the Law of Truth, Justice and Reparation for demobilized illegal combatants in the Colombian armed conflict
, among other parliamentary work.
which is one of the main parties supporting Alvaro Uribe. In the legislative elections of 2006
Benedetti ran for a seat on the senate
and resulted elected.
In April 2008, a judicial process was initiated against him as a part of the investigation of ties between paramilitary organizations and important Colombian politicians. Senator Benedetti has denied any possible link with the terrorist group (AUC-paramilitaries), whereas members of it have claimed to have evidence of such links. These accusations were released soon after he denounced that AUC members were not repairing their victims and were committing crimes.
He is also accused by conservative groups as being a representative of the so-called culture-of-death for his pro-choice and pro-euthanasia stances. During his senatorial term, he has promoted bills the promotion of "rights" for minority groups such as same-sex unions, and antidiscrimination statute.
(see: Colombian parapolitics scandal
) and has been accused by the ex congressional Yidis Medina of being part of corruption activities related to the reelection of the ex president Álvaro Uribe
(see: Yidispolitics scandal
).
Chamber of Representatives of Colombia
The Chamber of Representatives is the lower house of the Congress of Colombia.The Chamber has 166 elected members for four-year terms.-How the Chamber is elected:...
, and as Councillor
Councillor
A councillor or councilor is a member of a local government council, such as a city council.Often in the United States, the title is councilman or councilwoman.-United Kingdom:...
for Bogotá
Bogotá
Bogotá, Distrito Capital , from 1991 to 2000 called Santa Fé de Bogotá, is the capital, and largest city, of Colombia. It is also designated by the national constitution as the capital of the department of Cundinamarca, even though the city of Bogotá now comprises an independent Capital district...
.
Early life
Benedetti was born in the Caribbean Region of Colombia in the city of BarranquillaBarranquilla
Barranquilla is an industrial port city and municipality located in northern Colombia, near the Caribbean Sea. The capital of the Atlántico Department, it is the largest industrial city and port in the Colombian Caribbean region with a population of 1,148,506 as of 2005, which makes it Colombia's...
. His father is former minister Armando Benedetti. He studied communications at the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Bogotá
Bogotá
Bogotá, Distrito Capital , from 1991 to 2000 called Santa Fé de Bogotá, is the capital, and largest city, of Colombia. It is also designated by the national constitution as the capital of the department of Cundinamarca, even though the city of Bogotá now comprises an independent Capital district...
and later did post graduate studies in journalism. Between 1990 and part of 1991 he worked as a reporter for the national TV news show QAP Noticias.
Political career
He began working for liberal politician Eduardo Verano De la RosaEduardo Verano De la Rosa
Eduardo Ignacio Verano de la Rosa is a Colombian politician, businessman, and active member of the Colombian Liberal Party. On October 28, 2007 Verano was elected Governor of Atlántico Department.-Early years and education:...
in 1991 as advisor during the Constituent Assembly of Colombia
Constituent Assembly of Colombia
The Constituent Assembly of Colombia was formed on February 5, 1991, to draft Colombia's 1991 constitution. It was dissolved in June 1991, after the new document was adopted nationwide.-Background:...
which developed and approved the Colombian Constitution of 1991
Colombian Constitution of 1991
The Political Constitution of Colombia, better known as the Constitution of 1991, is the current governing document of the Republic of Colombia. Promulgated on July 4 of 1991 , it replaced the Constitution of 1886...
. In 1991 he also worked for Ministry of Economic Development as specialized professional. He also worked for the Intra, the now disappeared National highway institute for which he was appointed Secretary General of Public establishments between 1992 and 1993. Worked then for Ecosalud (former Etesa) in 1996 as Commercial Vice-President until 1997.
Councilman of Bogotá
With only 29 years old Benedetti was elected for the City Council of Bogotá, one of the youngest councilmen to ever serve. He was assigned as First Vice-President of the District Cabildo and as President of the Permanent First Commission of the Development Plan, which developed the "Territorial Order Plan for Bogotá" during the mayorship of Enrique PeñalosaEnrique Peñalosa
Enrique Peñalosa Londoño is a Colombian politician and New Urbanist. He was mayor of Bogotá, from 1998 until 2001, and was runner-up in 2007. He is running in 2011 for mayor as the Green Party candidate. He has also worked as a journalist and consultant on urban and transportation policy...
.
During the administration of Penalosa, Benedetti denounced over costs on public works such as the construction of bollards and proposed numerous projects including Project 25 of 1998 which established educational workshops in all the capital district educational institutions to prevent alcoholism, smoking and drug addiction.
Chamber of Representatives (1998-2006)
Benedetti decided to run for a seat in the Congress of Colombia, in the Chamber of Representatives of ColombiaChamber of Representatives of Colombia
The Chamber of Representatives is the lower house of the Congress of Colombia.The Chamber has 166 elected members for four-year terms.-How the Chamber is elected:...
for the legislative elections of 1998 to represent Bogotá
Bogotá
Bogotá, Distrito Capital , from 1991 to 2000 called Santa Fé de Bogotá, is the capital, and largest city, of Colombia. It is also designated by the national constitution as the capital of the department of Cundinamarca, even though the city of Bogotá now comprises an independent Capital district...
. He was reelected in the legislative elections of 2002
Colombian legislative election, 2002
Legislative elections were held in Colombia on 10 March 2002. They were won by the Colombian Liberal Party....
also for the period 2002-2006. During his term he promoted the referendum, the anti-terrorism statute, the military vote, the presidential reelection, the Law of Truth, Justice and Reparation for demobilized illegal combatants in the Colombian armed conflict
Colombian Armed Conflict
The Colombian armed conflict or Colombian Civil War are terms that are employed to refer to the current asymmetric low-intensity armed conflict in Colombia that has existed since approximately 1964 or 1966, between the Colombian government and peasant guerrillas such as the Revolutionary Armed...
, among other parliamentary work.
Senator of Colombia (2006-2010)
Benedetti decided to join the Social National Unity PartySocial National Unity Party
The Social Party of National Unity , or Party of the U is a liberal conservative political party in Colombia. It attempts to unite various parliamentary supporters of Álvaro Uribe, the Uribistas, in one political party. Currently it is Colombia's largest political party.Security is the top...
which is one of the main parties supporting Alvaro Uribe. In the legislative elections of 2006
Colombian legislative election, 2006
On March 12, 2006 Colombians went to the polls to elect Senate and Chamber of Representatives. Presidential primaries were also held for the Liberal Party and the Alternative Democratic Pole.-Senate Members:...
Benedetti ran for a seat on the senate
Senate of Colombia
The Senate of the Republic of Colombia is the upper house of the Congress of Colombia, with the lower house being the Chamber of Representatives of Colombia...
and resulted elected.
In April 2008, a judicial process was initiated against him as a part of the investigation of ties between paramilitary organizations and important Colombian politicians. Senator Benedetti has denied any possible link with the terrorist group (AUC-paramilitaries), whereas members of it have claimed to have evidence of such links. These accusations were released soon after he denounced that AUC members were not repairing their victims and were committing crimes.
He is also accused by conservative groups as being a representative of the so-called culture-of-death for his pro-choice and pro-euthanasia stances. During his senatorial term, he has promoted bills the promotion of "rights" for minority groups such as same-sex unions, and antidiscrimination statute.
Controversy
Benedetti has been investigated by the Supreme Court for his supposed links with paramilitarism in ColombiaParamilitarism in Colombia
Paramilitarism in Colombia refers to the origins and activities of far right-wing paramilitary groups in Colombia during the 20th century.Right-wing paramilitary groups are the parties considered to be most responsible for human rights violations in Colombia during the later half of the current...
(see: Colombian parapolitics scandal
Colombian parapolitics scandal
The Colombian parapolitics scandal or "parapolítica" in Spanish refers to the 2006–present Colombian congressional scandal in which several congressmen and other politicians have been indicted for suspicions of colluding with the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia , a paramilitary group which...
) and has been accused by the ex congressional Yidis Medina of being part of corruption activities related to the reelection of the ex president Álvaro Uribe
Álvaro Uribe
Alvaro Uribe Vélez was the 58th President of Colombia, from 2002 to 2010. In August 2010 he was appointed Vice-chairman of the UN panel investigating the Gaza flotilla raid....
(see: Yidispolitics scandal
Yidispolitics Scandal
Yidispolitics is the name given to the continuing public scandal in Colombia, since April 2008, when the ex-politician Yidis Medina admitted to receiving of bribes to vote in favor of the re-election project, which changed the constitution, on allowed Álvaro Uribe Vélez to become president for a...
).
External links
- Eighty congressional candidates are parapolitical heirs Colombian bishop calls euthanasia law grave attack on life Revista Diners: interview on how some polititians dress La Corte investiga a Armando Benedetti por parapolítica La Corte Suprema abrió investigación preliminar contra Armando Benedetti Nueve congresistas electos de la U son investigados por parapolítica