Colombia president Juan Manuel Santos formally threw his hat into the ring on Tuesday as he attempts to be re-elected as the country’s head of state in May.
Santos made the decision stand for re-election in November. A press release on Tuesday afternoon confirmed that he was joined by his running-mate for vice presidency, German Vargas, at the National Registry Office in Bogota to sign the necessary documents that confirm their candidacies.
Speaking to the press, Santos said he and his running mate “are ready, prepared and excited to begin the campaign” the president hopes will give him the popular support to stay in office until 2018.
Santos said his priorities will consist improving public security and education in the country of 47 million while successfully negotiating peace with rebel group FARC.
| “We have to finish this task, continue this way, because we have done a lot but a lot remains to be done.” |
“We have to finish this task, continue this way, because we have done a lot but a lot remains to be done,” said Santos.
The president’s candidacy is supported by his own U Party, Vargas’ Radical Change party and the Liberal Party to which both Santos and Vargas belonged before founding their own parties in the last decade.
Colombia’s presidential elections will commence on May 25. Santos has been enjoying the run-up as polls have shown a consistent lead over his rivals. Despite the lead over other candidates, Santos may be concerned about the level of “blank vote” responses shown in the polls that have gained a higher percentage than himself.
MORE: Santos leads field but continues to trail ‘blank vote’: New poll
Sources
- Juan Manuel Santos inscribe su candidatura a la Presidencia (El Pais)
- Press Release (Presidential Communications)
