Ernesto Samper facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ernesto Samper
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Samper in 2014
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| 29th President of Colombia | |
| In office 7 August 1994 – 7 August 1998 |
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| Vice President |
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| Preceded by | César Gaviria |
| Succeeded by | Andrés Pastrana |
| 4th Secretary General of the Union of South American Nations | |
| In office 1 August 2014 – 31 January 2017 |
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| Preceded by | Alí Rodríguez Araque |
| Succeeded by | Vacant |
| 17th Secretary General of Non-Aligned Movement | |
| In office 18 October 1995 – 7 August 1998 |
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| Preceded by | Suharto |
| Succeeded by | Andrés Pastrana |
| Colombia Ambassador to Spain | |
| In office 1991–1993 |
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| President | César Gaviria |
| Preceded by | William Jaramillo |
| Succeeded by | María Emma Mejía |
| Minister of Economic Development | |
| In office 7 August 1990 – 28 October 1991 |
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| President | César Gaviria |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Jorge Ospina Sardi |
| Senator of Colombia | |
| In office 20 July 1986 – 20 July 1990 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | 3 August 1950 Bogotá, Colombia |
| Political party | Liberal |
| Spouses |
Silvia Arbeláez
(m. 1972; div. 1975)Jacquin Strouss Lucena
(m. 1979) |
| Children |
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| Alma mater |
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| Profession | Economist |
Ernesto Samper Pizano (born 3 August 1950) is a Colombian politician. He was the President of Colombia from 1994 to 1998. He belonged to the Liberal Party. Later, from 2014 to 2017, he served as the Secretary General of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR).
During his time in politics, there were questions about how some of his presidential campaign money was raised. This became known as the "8000 process" because of the case number. The Colombian Chamber of Representatives looked into these questions. They decided that Samper was not guilty, and the process ended.
Contents
Ernesto Samper's Early Life and Education
Ernesto Samper was born on 3 August 1950 in Bogotá, Colombia. His parents were Andrés Samper Gnecco and Helena Pizano Pardo. His family has a long history of writers. For example, his brother, Daniel Samper Pizano, is a well-known writer and journalist.
Ernesto went to the Gimnasio Moderno, a respected high school in Bogotá. He then studied at the Pontifical Xavierian University. He earned a degree in economics in 1972 and a law degree in 1973. He also studied economics at Columbia University in New York City. In 1974, he started teaching law and economics at his old university.
Samper's Start in Politics
Ernesto Samper began his political career by helping with a presidential campaign in 1982. This campaign was for former president Alfonso López Michelsen, but it was not successful.
After that, Samper became a member of the Bogotá City Council. This council helps run the city of Bogotá. Later, he became a member of the Senate of Colombia. The Senate is part of the country's main law-making body.
Running for President in 1990
In 1990, Samper tried to become the Liberal Party's candidate for president. He was part of the party's group that wanted to make changes. During this time, in 1989, Samper was hurt when someone tried to assassinate a political leader. He was shot 11 times and had to go to the hospital.
After this, his campaign for president was very careful about safety. He wore bullet-proof vests and had many security guards. Even with these efforts, he did not win the party's nomination that year.
Serving as Minister and Ambassador
During the time that César Gaviria was president, Ernesto Samper held two important jobs. From 1990 to 1991, he was the Minister of Economic Development. In this role, he helped manage Colombia's economy.
Then, from 1991 to 1993, he served as Colombia's ambassador to Spain. An ambassador represents their country in another country. This job meant he worked to build good relationships between Colombia and Spain.
Presidential Election of 1994
In 1993, Ernesto Samper decided to run for president again. The election in 1994 was expected to be very close. The main candidates were Samper and Andrés Pastrana, who was from the Conservative Party.
The first round of voting happened on 29 May 1994. Samper won 45.2% of the votes, and Pastrana was close behind with 45%. Because no candidate won more than half of the votes, a second round of elections was needed.
For the second round, Samper's campaign needed more money. On 19 June 1994, after three more weeks of campaigning, Samper won the election. He became president with 50.37% of the votes, just a little more than Pastrana's 48.64%.
President of Colombia
On 7 August 1994, Ernesto Samper officially became the President of Colombia. The ceremony took place in Plaza Bolívar, Bogotá. Many important people from other countries, like Cuban president Fidel Castro, were there. In his speech, Samper talked about fighting crime and said that Colombia would decide how to handle its own challenges.
During his presidency, Colombia's relationships with some other countries faced challenges.
Later Political Roles
In July 2006, President Álvaro Uribe offered Samper the job of Colombia's ambassador to France. However, Samper decided not to accept this offer.
Later, in July 2014, Samper was chosen to be the Secretary General of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR). He started this job on 11 September 2014. During his first speech in Caracas, Venezuela, Samper said he would focus on three main areas: politics, social issues, and the economy. He also wanted to create a special court for crimes in South America. Samper finished his term as Secretary General on 31 January 2017.
Ernesto Samper's Family Life
Ernesto Samper was married to Silvia Arbelaez. They had one son named Andrés. Later, they divorced.
On 16 June 1979, Samper married Jacquin Strouss Lucena. They have two children together, Miguel and Felipe.
See also
In Spanish: Ernesto Samper para niños
