Hubbry Logo
search
logo
Julio Cobos avatar
Julio Cobos
Julio Cobos
current hub
1741379

Julio Cobos

logo
Community Hub0 Subscribers
Read side by side
Julio Cobos
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Julio César Cleto Cobos (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈxuljo ˈkoβos] ⓘ; born 30 April 1955) is an Argentine politician who was the Vice President of Argentina in the administration of President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner from 2007 to 2011.[1] He started his political career as member of the Radical Civic Union party (UCR), becoming Governor of the Province of Mendoza in 2003. He was expelled from the UCR in 2007, and was then selected by presidential candidate Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, of the ruling Front for Victory (FpV), as her candidate for vice-president in the elections of that year, which they won.

Key Information

His popular prestige got a big boost in 2008, when the Senate was voting on a controversial and contentious law to increase taxes on grain exports. The voting ended in a tie, which gave Cobos, as President of the Senate, the deciding vote. In a stunning and now notorious move, he voted against the law. This led to strong criticism from his party, who deemed him a traitor, and approval from sectors of the population that opposed the government. As he further distanced himself from the FPV, the UCR revoked his expulsion from the party.

Cobos was elected to the Chamber of Deputies in 2013, to the Senate in 2015, and again to the Chamber of Deputies in 2021.

Biography

[edit]

Early life

[edit]

Julio Cobos was born in 1955 in the city of Godoy Cruz, Mendoza. His parents are Fermín and Asunción, and he has two older brothers. He studied high school in the Military Liceum, and later in the Universidad Tecnológica Nacional (UTN). He graduated from construction engineering in 1979 and civil engineering in 1988. In 1980 he got married with Cristina Cerutti, having three sons. He later stayed at the UTN as teacher.

He got promoted to Dean of the local chapter of the UTN, in the 1997-2001 term, but requested licence from 1999 to 2001 to work in politics. He was later reelected for the 2001-2005 term.

Governor of Mendoza: 2003–2007

[edit]

He joined the UCR in 1991 and took public office as an official in the municipality of Mendoza then as minister of Environment and Public Works in the government of Mendoza Province 1999–2000. He was dean of the regional faculty of the Universidad Tecnológica Nacional 1997–2003. He was elected governor in 2003, heading a coalition between Radicals with Recrear and Federalists.

After his election, Cobos became a leading supporter of Peronist President Néstor Kirchner in Radical ranks, taking a more left-wing position. He was in dispute with other Radicals in Mendoza, led by former governor Roberto Iglesias, then Radical leader, over his support for Kirchner and their desire to back another presidential candidate in the 2007 elections.[2] Mendoza's constitution does not allow re-election; however Cobos supported Celso Jaque to take office in 2007 on the same slate as Kirchner.

Vice Presidency: 2007–2011

[edit]

Cobos was asked by Cristina Fernández de Kirchner to stand as her running mate in 2007 heading the Front for Victory slate. He accepted her offer and was consequently expelled by the UCR in July 2007. Having won the election, Cobos was sworn in as Vice President in December 2007.

Cobos, as Vice President and President of the Argentine Senate, cast the deciding vote rejecting an increase in grain export taxes.[3] This controversial bill had led to economic and social instability in Argentina, with mass protests both for and against the government. Cobos had been expected to back President Fernández de Kirchner. "I think today is the most difficult day of my life", Cobos said. "They tell me I must go along with the government for institutional reasons, but my heart tells me otherwise. May history judge me, my vote is not for, it's against."[3] Cobos has said that the move defused tensions in the country between farmers and the state.

Cobos managed to escape an attempted carjacking.[4]

Cobos refused to step down, while Fernandez had not asked for his resignation, as his approval rating has been double that of hers in some polls.[5] Cobos criticized her decision to nationalize more than $25 billion in private pension funds as premature and would only create more doubts among investors about the stability of Argentina's investment climate. Kirchner, in response, said publicly that every morning his wife asks him, "What vice president did you stick me with, Nestor?"[6][7]

Some parts of the media considered him a potential presidential candidate for president in the 2011 elections since the raise of his public image during the voting in the Congress, though other parts of the media did not agree, saying his image was falling abruptly.[8] Cobos initially maintained a quiet position about the topic, and declared his intentions to be candidate by the beginning of 2010.[9]

In July 2010, he returned to the Radical Civic Union headquarters, where he was greeted by party officials Gerardo Morales, Ernesto Sanz, Ricardo Alfonsín and Oscar Aguad. They agreed to work on a plan to govern the country towards the 2011 full term elections.[10]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Julio Cobos

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Julio César Cleto Cobos (born April 30, 1955) is an Argentine civil engineer and politician who served as Vice President from 2007 to 2011 under President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner.[1] Affiliated with the Radical Civic Union, he gained prominence for breaking with the administration by voting against a proposed increase in agricultural export taxes in 2008, which strained the ruling coalition.[2] Prior to his national role, Cobos was elected Governor of Mendoza Province in 2003, focusing on provincial development during his term until 2007.[1] He later returned to legislative positions, including as a senator for Mendoza and a national deputy, advocating on issues such as mining policy and territorial matters.[3]

Early life

Upbringing in Mendoza

Julio César Cleto Cobos was born on April 30, 1955, in Godoy Cruz, a department in Mendoza Province, Argentina.[4] He grew up in a family of workers within the provincial setting of Mendoza, a region centered on agriculture and viticulture.[4] Cobos has described his childhood as calm and characteristically provincial, though it was occasionally affected by economic hardships faced by his family.[5]

Education and early career

Cobos pursued higher education at the Universidad Tecnológica Nacional (UTN) in Mendoza, earning a degree in construction engineering in 1979 before completing his civil engineering degree in 1988.[6][7] Following graduation, he commenced his professional career as a civil engineer in Mendoza, engaging in engineering practices that aligned with provincial needs, while also teaching at UTN.[7][8] Through these roles, he built technical proficiency applicable to regional infrastructure challenges.[6]

Provincial politics

Initial involvement in UCR

Cobos entered politics through the Radical Civic Union (UCR), a centrist party with reformist leanings, beginning his involvement in Mendoza's public administration during the post-dictatorship era.[9] His early roles included positions focused on infrastructure and development, such as subsecretary of urbanism and housing in the Mendoza municipality and minister of environment and public works in the provincial government, leveraging his civil engineering expertise to advocate for policy improvements in these areas.[6] These experiences enabled him to forge key alliances within Mendoza's UCR networks, elevating him to prominent leadership positions within the provincial branch of the party.[6]

Governorship of Mendoza

Cobos was elected Governor of Mendoza in October 2003 as the candidate of the Radical Civic Union (UCR).[10] He assumed office on December 10, 2003, for a term lasting until 2007.[11] During his governorship, Cobos oversaw infrastructure projects, including the management of the Potrerillos Dam, which supported hydroelectric power and irrigation in the province.[12] His administration also handled the restructuring of provincial debt, notably through a 2004 bond swap involving the Bono Aconcagua, aimed at managing obligations amid holdout creditors.[13]

Vice Presidency

2007 election and alliance

In the lead-up to the 2007 Argentine general election, negotiations between the ruling Front for Victory (FV), led by Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, and select opposition figures culminated in the selection of Julio Cobos, the Radical Civic Union (UCR) governor of Mendoza, as her vice presidential running mate. This cross-party alliance was intended to broaden the ticket's appeal by incorporating an opposition voice perceived as a moderating balance to the Kirchnerist platform, drawing from governors aligned with the administration despite their partisan affiliations.[14] The decision sparked internal debates within the UCR, which had positioned itself in opposition to the government and ultimately chose not to field its own presidential candidate for the first time in decades. Cobos justified the partnership as a pragmatic step toward national unity and institutional dialogue, arguing it could bridge divides amid economic recovery efforts following his successful provincial governance. The CFK-Cobos campaign emphasized themes of continuity, moderation, and consensus-building, securing a decisive victory with over 45% of the vote in the October 28 election.[15]

Major decisions and fallout

During his tenure as vice president, Julio Cobos cast a pivotal tie-breaking vote in the Argentine Senate against Resolution 125, a government measure to increase export taxes on soybeans and other agricultural products. On July 17, 2008, following a 36-36 deadlock after over 17 hours of debate, Cobos voted to reject the proposal, aligning with farmers who had staged widespread protests against the tax hikes introduced in March.[16][17] The decision triggered immediate tensions with President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner's administration, marking a public break that isolated Cobos politically. Kirchner and her allies viewed the vote as a betrayal, with some labeling Cobos a "Judas," while farmers hailed him as a defender of their interests, exacerbating divisions within the ruling coalition.[18][2] This episode underscored broader strains in federal-provincial relations, as provinces like Mendoza with strong agricultural sectors clashed with national fiscal policies, and it highlighted the fragility of the UCR-Kirchnerism alliance formed for the 2007 election, ultimately eroding cooperative dynamics between the Radical Civic Union and Peronist forces.[19][17]

National legislative roles

Senate service

Julio Cobos served as a national senator representing Mendoza, where he adopted a critical stance toward policies associated with Kirchnerism during his tenure. In August 2020, he publicly opposed the proposed judicial reform under the Alberto Fernández administration, declaring that "this reform is neither urgent nor important."[20] His earlier decision as vice president to cast a decisive "no positive" vote against agricultural export taxes in 2008 had solidified his reputation among anti-Peronist voters, influencing his independent profile within the Radical Civic Union.[21] As vice president of the Senate's Foreign Relations and Worship Committee, Cobos advocated for greater accountability, requesting in June 2021 that the foreign minister appear before Congress to address ongoing issues.[22] His legislative efforts received recognition, including a third consecutive award from Parlamentario magazine in April 2019 for outstanding parliamentary work.[23]

Chamber of Deputies terms

Cobos was elected as a National Deputy for Mendoza in the 2021 Argentine legislative elections, running under the Cambia Mendoza front in alliance with the Radical Civic Union (UCR) and securing victory alongside Alfredo Cornejo for the Senate. This term, from 2021 to 2025, emphasized provincial priorities amid national opposition dynamics, building on his prior Senate experience with tactics focused on federalism and resource equity.[24] Throughout his service, Cobos advocated for mining development as a key economic driver for Mendoza, arguing it represented progress for the province's productive profile while addressing regulatory barriers. He critiqued central government policies perceived as overreaching into provincial competencies, particularly in resource allocation and economic matters, to bolster federal sharing mechanisms that benefit regions like Mendoza.[25][26]

Later political activities

Presidential bid and party shifts

Following his tenure as vice president, Julio Cobos launched his candidacy for the 2011 presidential election, presenting a strategic plan amid opposition dynamics.[27][28] However, he later resigned from the race, opting not to pursue it further.[29] In the ensuing period, Cobos contributed to efforts consolidating the UNEN alliance as a unified opposition front to counter force dispersion.[30] This involvement highlighted his navigation of ideological alignments beyond traditional UCR structures, positioning him as part of moderate coalitions amid national polarization. Subsequently, he reaffirmed his affiliation with the Radical Civic Union, continuing legislative roles under its banner.[31]

Recent positions on key issues

Cobos has expressed strong support for mining development in Mendoza, portraying it as essential progress for the province's economy amid ongoing debates over Law 7722, which limits the use of certain chemicals in mining operations and pits economic growth against environmental protections.[32][25] Regarding territorial claims, he has advocated for Argentina's sovereignty over the Malvinas Islands through legislative initiatives, including co-authoring a 2022 project to commemorate the Falklands War and reinforce the national stance in commemorative efforts.[33] During his 2021–2025 term as a national deputy, Cobos has critiqued federal interventions and fiscal imbalances, arguing that provinces bear unjust costs for national infrastructure unrelated to their competencies and demanding stronger federalism to address these disparities.[34][35]

References

  1. Quién es Julio Cobos - LA NACION
  2. Curse of the Vice Presidency - Wilson Center
  3. Julio Cobos: 'If Bullrich runs, Rodríguez Larreta must present his ...
  4. Sobre Julio Cobos
  5. Cobos: un ingeniero con experiencia de gestiónCarrió no admitió la ...
  6. Almuerzo con Julio Cobos - Harvard Club of Argentina
  7. ¿Quién es Julio Cobos? - El Territorio
  8. Volver a empezar: Cobos ejercerá de ingeniero - Urgente24
  9. DATOS-Julio Cobos, el vicepresidente rebelde de Argentina - Reuters
  10. El país :: “El rol opositor debe existir” - Pagina 12
  11. Julio Cobos - Efemérides Radicales
  12. Petri se quejó de una Mendoza estancada y presentó su proyecto
  13. Mendoza espera más juicios, tras la reestructuración de su deuda
  14. K Governors complete Kirchner's presidential ticket - MercoPress
  15. ARGENTINA (Cámara de Diputados), Elections in 2007
  16. Argentina Ushers in Matrimonial Presidency (ARI)
  17. In blow to President Kirchner, Argentine senate rejects export tax
  18. Argentina Rebuffs President on Farm Export Tax
  19. Americas | No healing in Argentina's bitter row - Home - BBC News
  20. Senate Committee Print 110-48 - ARGENTINA ... - Congress.gov
  21. Julio Cobos: "ESTA REFORMA JUDICIAL NO ES NI URGENTE NI ...
  22. A 14 años del voto no positivo de Julio Cobos - Infobae
  23. COBOS PIDE QUE EL CANCILLER DÉ EXPLICACIONES EN EL ...
  24. JULIO COBOS NUEVAMENTE PREMIADO POR SU LABOR ...
  25. En Mendoza, Cornejo y Cobos consolidan su victoria de las PASO
  26. Julio Cobos: "La GESTIÓN de MENDOZA es ordenada" - YouTube
  27. "LA MINERÍA ES UN AVANCE PARA MENDOZA" - Instagram
  28. Cobos lanzó oficialmente su candidatura presidencial 2011 | Infocielo
  29. Una corriente de la UCR ya trabaja para la candidatura Cobos 2011
  30. La intimidad de la renuncia de Cobos a su candidatura presidencial ...
  31. Frente Amplio - UNEN: "Era necesario consolidar este espacio por ...
  32. Segundo intento en la UCR: Julio Cobos y Mario Barletta quieren ...
  33. Julio Cobos: "MINING is a PROGRESS for MENDOZA" - YouTube
  34. [PDF] 2022- “Las Malvinas Son Argentinas” PROYECTO DE ... - HCDN
  35. El legítimo reclamo de las provincias ante un federalismo ausente
  36. Julio Cobos: “Es injusto que las provincias paguen por obras que no ...
User Avatar
No comments yet.