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Santos Announces He'll Seek Reelection in 2014
Santos justified his decision by saying he feels that during his administration, the country has achieved important successes in matters such as the peace talks with the FARC guerrillas and reducing poverty and unemployment
BOGOTA – Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos announced Wednesday that he will seek reelection in the 2014 elections.
"I'm doing it because I'm convinced that we've advanced sufficiently and that it's finally possible to arrive at that future of prosperity and peace that all we Colombians deserve," said the president in a radio and television address.
Santos justified his decision to seek reelection to a second four-year term by saying he feels that during his administration, which began on Aug. 7, 2010, the country has achieved important successes in matters such as the peace talks with the FARC guerrillas and reducing poverty and unemployment, and he argued that those policies should have continuity.
"We have to finish the work that we've begun among ourselves," said the president after noting that Colombia has begun to see "a light at the end of the tunnel," and when that occurs "we cannot go backwards" or remain "in the middle of the road."
Santos will register his candidacy with Colombian election authorities on Nov. 25, a date selected because the law establishes that a head of state who aspires to reelection must announce that fact six months before the elections, which are scheduled for May 25, 2014.
The president devoted a good portion of his speech to the progress made in peace talks with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, guerrillas.