Colombian Minister of Finance who implemented economic reforms and served as presidential candidate, known for his conservative stance and efforts to combat corruption.
scar Ivn Zuluaga Escobar, born on February 3, 1959, is a prominent Colombian politician and economist who made headlines in the 2014 presidential election. As the Democratic Centre's nominee, he won the most votes in the first round, only to lose to incumbent Juan Manuel Santos Calderón in the second round.
Zuluaga's journey in politics began with his involvement in the family-owned steelmaking company, Aceras de Colombia S.A. He later ventured into local politics, serving on the municipal council of Pensilvania, Caldas, and eventually becoming its Mayor.
Zuluaga's career in politics gained momentum when he became involved in Álvaro Uribe Vélez's presidential campaign in 2001. He was elected to the Senate of Colombia in 2002, supporting the amendment to the Colombian Constitution that permitted presidential reelection. In 2005, he joined the Social Party of National Unity, led by Juan Manuel Santos.
In 2006, Zuluaga was appointed the 68th Minister of Finance and Public Credit of Colombia by Uribe. During his tenure, he played a crucial role in shaping the country's economic policies.
In 2013, Zuluaga joined the newly formed Democratic Centre and ran for its presidential nomination. He won the most votes in the first round of the election but lost to Juan Manuel Santos Calderón in the second round.
In June 2023, Zuluaga was officially charged with corruption by the Colombian justice system for receiving 1.6 million from the multinational Odebrecht. He has also been suspected of colluding with certain paramilitary groups in the country.
Zuluaga has been involved in various organizations, including the board of directors of the Bank of the Republic, Colombia's central bank, the National Federation of Merchants (Fenalco), the Federation of Metallurgical Industries of Colombia (Fedemetal), and the Colombo-Venezuelan Chamber of Commerce.
scar Ivn Zuluaga's political career has been marked by controversies, but his contributions to Colombia's economic development and his role in shaping the country's destiny cannot be overlooked. His legacy continues to be felt in Colombian politics, with many regarding him as a significant figure in the country's recent history.
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