Roberto Urdaneta Arbeláez
Roberto Urdaneta Arbeláez is a Colombian politician who has served as President of the Republic of Colombia and leader of the Colombian Conservative Party since 1957.
In-Game Biography
Starting
Born on June 27, 1890, Roberto Urdaneta Arbeláez is perhaps the perfect example of the modern, well-connected aristocrat. The son of a general and a descendant of one of the original criollo liberators, Urdaneta was already a member of congress for the Conservatives at the age of 26. In 1917, he married into the prestigious Holguín family, further entrenching himself within the very pinnacle of Colombian society.
A man of strict self-discipline and impeccable manners, Urdaneta was appointed foreign minister in 1931, and was crucial in ending the conflict with Peru, where he would later become ambassador. During this time, he would reconcile with Laureano Gómez, his adversary within the PCC and alumnus of the St. Bartholomew school in Bogotá, over their share anti-communism and absolutist ambitions. In time, he would become the closest "the Basilisk" had to a real friend.
Their fates seemed intertwined until the latter’s death during the Civil War. Yet it seems Urdaneta continued to uphold his vision even after the fact. Continuing the violent crackdowns that tore apart the party, signing a truce without honors that broke the Army’s allegiance, attempting to pass a totalitarian constitution… How tragic that the vision he upholds is one countless failures.
New constitution
Born on June 27, 1890, Roberto Urdaneta Arbeláez is perhaps the perfect example of the modern, well-connected aristocrat. The son of a general and a descendant of one of the original criollo liberators, Urdaneta was already a member of congress for the Conservatives at the age of 26. In 1917, he married into the prestigious Holguín family, further entrenching himself within the very pinnacle of Colombian society.
A man of strict self-discipline and impeccable manners, Urdaneta was appointed foreign minister in 1931, and was crucial in ending the conflict with Peru, where he would later become ambassador. During this time, he would reconcile with Laureano Gómez, his adversary within the PCC and alumnus of the St. Bartholomew school in Bogotá, over their shared anti-communism and absolutist ambitions. In time, he would become the closest "the Basilisk" had to a real friend.
With the Corporatist Constitution now passed and the military pacified, their shared vision has been forever enshrined. Yet that does not suffice, to truly reform the PCC into the leviathan they both dreamed, many more sleepless nights would be required. Not just for him, but for entire country.
Involvement
Roberto Urdaneta Arbeláez serves as president of the Republic of Colombia by game start. In 1962, his attempt to pass a radical new constitution can either succeed or fail and result in him being ousted by either Gustavo Rojas Pinilla or Alberto Lleras Camargo. Whether Urdaneta holds on to power or not will determine whether the Second Patriotic Army will stay loyal to the central government or participate as a fourth side when La Violencia resumes in 1965.