Carlos Lemos Simmonds
| Carlos Apolinar Lemos Simmonds | |
|---|---|
| 7th Vice President of Colombia | |
| In office September 19, 1997 – August 7, 1998 |
|
| President | Ernesto Samper Pizano |
| Preceded by | Humberto De la Calle |
| Succeeded by | Gustavo Bell |
| 24th Colombia Ambassador to United Kingdom | |
| In office 15 November 1995 – 1997 |
|
| President | Ernesto Samper Pizano |
| Preceded by | Noemí Sanín Posada |
| Succeeded by | Humberto de la Calle Lombana |
| Colombia Ambassador to Austria | |
| In office 1995–1996 |
|
| President | Ernesto Samper Pizano |
| Preceded by | Alfonso Gómez Méndez |
| Minister of Government | |
| In office 1989–1990 |
|
| President | Virgilio Barco Vargas |
| Preceded by | Orlando Vásquez Velásquez |
| Succeeded by | Horacio Serpa Uribe |
| Minister of Telecomunications | |
| President | Virgilio Barco Vargas |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs | |
| In office March 12, 1981 – August 7, 1982 |
|
| President | Julio César Turbay Ayala |
| Preceded by | Diego Uribe Vargas |
| Succeeded by | Rodrigo Lloreda Caicedo |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 23, 1933 Popayán, Cauca, Colombia |
| Died | July 30, 2003 (aged 69) Bogotá, Cundinamarca, Colombia |
| Political party | Liberal |
| Spouse(s) | Casado en primeras nupcias con María Victoria Perez y Soto Bohorquez con la cual duró casado 25 años y en segundas nupcias con Marta Blanco con la cual no tuvo hijos. |
| Children | María Eugenia Lemos Pérez y Soto Carlos José Lemos Pérez y Soto María Victoria Lemos Pérez y Soto Adriana Lemos Pérez y Soto |
| Alma mater | Cauca University |
| Occupation | Diplomat, Writer, Journalist |
| Profession | Lawyer |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
Carlos Apolinar Lemos Simmonds (October 23, 1933–July 30, 2003) was a Colombian politician and journalist that served as President and Vice President of Colombia in 1997. He is the only vice president of Colombia to become president in the Colombian Constitution of 1991 era under the statutes of the presidential line of succession, after President Ernesto Samper absented due to health problems.
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[edit] Early years
Lemos went to middle school in the Colegio Champagnat in the city of Popayán for high school he went to the University of Cauca Liceum, he continue studying in this same institution until graduating as a lawyer. During these years Lemos married Maria Victoria Pérez y Soto Bohorquez. In 1985 married Marta Blanco with whom he lived most of his political glories.
[edit] Political career
After graduating Lemos worked as a Municipal Judge in the town of Piendamó, Cauca. He later transferred to Bogotá where he was elected councilman in the early 1970s for three consecutives terms. He then ran for the Chamber of Representatives of Colombia. During the government of President Julio César Turbay Lemos was appointed as Secretary General of the Presidency of Colombia. In the same administration he was promoted to minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, after that he was shifted to different ministries, Ministry of Government, Ministry of Information Technologies and Communications (Colombia).
Lemos served later as Ambassador of Colombia to the Organization of American States (OAS), drafter of the Colombian Constitution of 1991, Ambassador of Colombia to Austria, Ambassador of Colombia to Great Britain, senator, vice president and president of Colombia temporarily.
As a member of the Colombian Foreign Affairs Commission he contributed towards resolving the dispute over San Andrés y Providencia Islands in the Caribbean sea between Colombia and Nicaragua for territorial waters. He also negotiated the peace process with the M-19 guerrilla.
[edit] Journalism
Lemos was also a notable journalist, writer and historian. He was a regular columnist for the Colombian newspaper El Espacio titled "Entre la Romana y el Pasaje" and also worked as its subdirector. Lemos founded the Diario Liberal newspaper and was once an owner of the Revista Consigna magazine.
[edit] Published work
Books
- "Memorias de un antigobierno" (Memories of an antigovernment)
- "El Estado Ladrón" (The Thief State)
- "El Rescate de la moral" (The Rescue of Moral)
- "Turbay, de la Base a la Cumbre" (Turbay, from the base to the peak)
- "Santander".
Newspaper articles
- "Opinión" (Opinion), a column in El Tiempo newspaper.
- Revista Diners, articles.
- Diario Liberal, articles.
TV
Conducted the political TV shows called "Mesa de Café" (Coffee table), "Debates Caracol" (Caracol Debates in Caracol TV) and "Fuerza de la Historia" (Force of History).
[edit] Death
Lemos suffered from Cancer and his last days were spent in the Clínica del Country, hospitalized and decaying tired and losing weight. He finally died on July 30, 2003.
