Former Argentine President Nestor Kirchner — the country's most powerful politician along with his wife, current leader Cristina Fernandez - had undergone an angioplasty after a heart attack in September, but was still a likely candidate in next year's presidential elections. He also served as secretary general of the South American alliance known as Unasur, as a congressman and as leader of the Peronist party.
Kirchner served as President from 2003-2007, bringing Argentina out of severe economic crisis and encouraging judicial changes that set in motion dozens of human rights trials involving hundreds of dictatorship-era figures who had previously benefited from an amnesty.
As secretary general of the Union of South American Republics, or Unasur, Kirchner mediated one of the many border disputes between Venezuela and Colombia. Both countries' leaders mourned his loss on Wednesday. Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos asked for a moment of silence in Bogota in Kirchner's honor.
"It's a great loss for Argentina and a great loss for the continent,'' he said.
(sources: Huffington Post, NPR)
No comments:
Post a Comment