Rodrigo Lara Sánchez invited his brother, Rodrigo Lara Restrepo, to join the Team's campaign for Colombia

On Saturday, March 26, Federico Gutiérrez, the candidate of the Team for Colombia, announced to the country, the name of his formula to the vice-presidency: Rodrigo Lara Sánchez. The news brought surprises to different political spaces and groups because Lara belonged to the Green Party, who emphatically warned that its members are free to vote for any alternative candidate such as: Gustavo Petro, Sergio Fajardo and Rodolfo Hernández, but that Gutiérrez would not be a viable option.

Now after the many comments and differences that this pair marked, the eldest son of the late justice minister, Rodrigo Lara Bonilla, gave him an interview to Semana Magazine where he showed that the differences with his younger brother Rodrigo Lara Restrepo were left behind and that he now wants them to work together. In addition, he highlighted the work his brother has done in the Senate.

“It's not because he's my brother, it's because of the person he is; it's because of the human being he is. It is because of his ability, because of his experience, it is because of what he has done all these years in Congress, in the political struggle of this country. We are all called, of course, but these highly skilled people (...) should and must be a protagonist in the construction of this country,” said the former mayor of Neiva and added, “As you have done it: responsibly, sacrificing your safety, your peace of mind, your family. This is an example of a country, and I am sure it will, which has a lot to contribute as it has done.”

He said that he was happy to know that all the differences with his brothers could already be reconciled and now they have a good relationship that goes beyond the blood ties that bind them: “I think that today life shows you the way, and it helps you talk about forgiveness and reconciliation, but besides, there is something very nice here: I feel a lot admiration for Rodrigo (Lara Restrepo), for what it has been; for my brothers, for Pablo, for Jorge (who died on March 9). In the midst of the difference we respect each other, we recognize each other and I think that this bond of blood that we have goes much further (...) For me it is a pride and I feel comfortable to be with him and count on him”.

Let us remember that when it became known that Lara Sánchez would be Federico Gutiérrez's teammate, his brother congratulated him and sent him a message through his social networks: “On behalf of my wife and my children, we wish my brother @Rodrigo_LaraS well in the responsibility he assumed as @FicoGutierrez's formula. The country will have the opportunity to meet a great person, a virtuous professional and a transparent being with many merits.”

Lara Sánchez's foray into political life is rather recent, because she devoted much of her life to medical services in hospitals in Bogotá and Neiva. In 2010 he tried to reach the Senate through the Citizen Commitment list, the same movement of Sergio Fajardo. It had the ninth highest vote, but the significant group of citizens did not exceed the threshold to win seats.

The appointment as vice-presidential formula of Rodrigo Lara Sánchez could be a nod to the center voters, given the closeness he has shown during this decade to Sergio Fajardo and Antanas Mockus, whose presidential campaign he joined in 2010.

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