:quality(85)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/infobae/4WLFVJK6FRDSFJGWNB4SJ34GI4.jpg "New medical report from Rodolfo Hernández after an emergency operation")
The leader of the League of Anti-Corruption Rulers is in intensive care after surgery for abdominal pain – credit Cristobal Herrera-Ulashkevich/EFE
Former presidential candidate Rodolfo Hernández is receiving medical attention at the International Hospital of Colombia, located in the city of Bucaramanga, after being admitted in an emergency due to intense abdominal pain a few days ago.
The hospital institution offered an update on his health status, confirming that Hernández is in a post-surgical recovery phase within its facilities.
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The former presidential candidate had undergone complex surgery in Bogotá to remove the malignant tumor that was found in his colon. He spent several days in the ICU after the surgery-credit Colpresa
The International Hospital of Colombia, through a statement, reported that “Engineer Rodolfo Hernández is currently hospitalized, undergoing post-surgical recovery at our institution.” The statement continues by ensuring that the engineer “so far is stable and in acceptable general health conditions.”
In addition, the medical center stated that, given his condition, Hernández Suárez will be subject to continuous medical supervision. This implies that “the engineer will continue under constant supervision and care of our specialized medical team.” The medical center explained that he will closely monitor his postoperative evolution to ensure his optimal recovery.
According to revelations from Semana magazine, Hernández was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for several days, indicating the severity of his condition at the time of being admitted to the hospital. Socorro Oliveros, wife of the political leader and businessman, shared with the media that his partner is in the process of recovery, adding that, “the situation is delicate, but we have hope that he will recover.”
The former presidential candidate’s health had previously been a cause for concern, as he had overcome colon cancer. Unfortunately, he was diagnosed with liver metastasis in recent months, which forced him to begin oncological treatment last March, aimed at combating this terminal-stage cancer. The publicly known photos reveal how Hernández has noticeably lost weight due to constant treatments.
Rodolfo Hernández assured that he is being prosecuted for things he has not done – credit Zuma Press
“Although the affected part of the colon was removed, I was informed that the cancer had metastasized to my liver, a situation that I would not wish on anyone, especially at this stage of life. This has made me much more sensitive to these issues and I understand that it is a disease that is not easy to combat. I’m still in the battle, either the cancer dies or I die, one of us dies… (laughs),” Hernández shared in an interview with Semana in March 2024.
Rodolfo Hernández Suárez, born in Piedecuesta and graduated in Civil Engineering from the National University of Colombia, has been a prominent figure in the political and business spheres of Colombia. As a construction businessman, he has marked the economy of Santander, transforming it into a power model in the region. Although his HG construction company lost relevance, Hernández expanded his fortune with real estate negotiations in Barranquilla and Villavicencio, always seeking to influence urban development, especially in Bucaramanga.
His foray into politics began by supporting Lucho Bohórquez as mayor of Bucaramanga in 2011, obtaining mutual benefits in urban initiatives. With his own vision and after distancing himself from Bohórquez, Hernández led his campaign for mayor in 2015 under the “Lógica, Ética y Estética” movement, achieving a victory with 77,272 votes.
Rodolfo Hernández was surpassed by Gustavo Petro in the 2022 presidential elections – credit El Colombiano
His term as mayor of Bucaramanga was marked by both controversies and popular approval, facing suspensions by the Attorney General’s Office due to inappropriate conduct and, even so, maintaining a high rate of acceptance thanks to his public policies and actions of communal benefit. However, he chose to resign amid new allegations of misconduct and pockets of corruption.
Hernández surprised the country by running and advancing to the second round of the 2022 presidential elections with the League of Anti-Corruption Rulers, establishing himself as a serious contender and gaining great popular support, although he was ultimately surpassed by Gustavo Petro. He accepted a seat in the Senate, a position from which he resigned shortly afterward, citing discomfort with the legislative role and showing a political approach toward Petro.
For 2023, Hernández announced his candidacy for governor, implicitly backed by Petrismo and the Greens, despite the challenges he faces, including his health and public perception after his resignation from the Senate.