Juan Manuel Santos is already distancing himself from the Uribe administration in which he served. The emergence of a real opposition should benefit the country, and the president should seek not only security but also greater social justice.

Controversy is growing over opinion polls blamed for the green candidate's poor showing. But the answer may lie at the door of the candidate himself.

As Colombia still awaits results a month after polling day, our columnist looks at the rise of the greens and the shrinking anti-corruption bulwark in congress

President Uribe looked set to seek a third term but support has dropped away. What happened, and how do Colombians regard the state of their democracy now?

The UK is not the only country facing nationwide elections. Our new columnist charts the run-up to the Colmbian presidential election this year and where this may take the sometimes turbulent south American country