The approval rating of Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos rose four percentage points to 58% over the past two months, according to a Gallup poll.
The poll, results of which were published in several media on Wednesday, showed a survey of whether Colombia is doing well. According to 43% of the respondents Colombia is getting worse while 37% said Colombia is improving.
Gallup also said there was strong support of the president’s peace talks with the FARC, but pessimism over the possible outcome of these talks.
Of the 1,200 interviewed urban dwellers, 72% said to approve peace talks, but only 39% believed they would lead to a peace agreement between Colombia’s government and largest guerrilla group. The majority, 57%, does not believe the talks will lead to peace.
While the poll showed general pessimism about the outcome of the current talks, only a minority of 33% said the FARC can only be defeated through military action. A 65% majority believe that the conflict must be ended through negotiations.
The Santos administration received support for how it is managing international relations, corruption, the economy, children’s policies, agriculture and housing, but received disapproval of its fight against drug trafficking, the armed conflict, the cost of life and unemployment.
The Gallup polls are held bimonthly among 1,200 people from Colombia’s five largest cities.
