Colombian Government Profile 2009

Overview of the Republic of Colombia's Political Structure

Mar 31, 2009

The nation is most noted for its continuous battle with drug cartels, fueled by the high demand in the U.S. Despite its problems, Colombia is working towards stability.

Colombia gained its independence from Spain on July 20th, 1810. Its first constitution was written on July 5th 1991, but it has been amended several times. Colombia has a population of a little over 45 million people and every citizen over the age of eighteen has the right to vote. The capital is located in Bogota. Colombia was once part Gran Colombia, a republic which consisted of modern Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela. The nation of Colombia later encountered a conflict between drug cartels that created forty years of extreme violence. Insurgent groups and illegal paramilitary groups fought against the government and were funded by the drug cartels. The people of Colombia stood against the insurgents and their power began to drop in 2002, though there is still a large amount of violence in the countrysides. The government is doing all it can to stop the violence, but neighboring countries still worry about the violence that has historically spilled over the borders.

Colombian Executive Branch

Alvaro Uribe Velez is the current president of Colombia and his vice-president is Francisco Santos. The two have already served one term together, and were reelected in the 2006 elections for another four-year term. The president is elected by popular vote by the people. The next elections will be held in May 2010.

Colombian Legislative Branch

Colombia has a bicameral congress, like the U.S., which has a Senate and a House of Representatives. The Senate is comprised of 102 seats. its members are elected by popular vote to serve four year terms. The House of Representatives is made up of 166 seats and the election process is also that of popular vote every four years. The next elections will be held in March 2010.

Colombian Judicial Branch

Colombia's law system is based on Spanish law and a new criminal code that is modeled after the U.S. system. The codes were made into law in 2004 and reached full implementation in 2008. The judicial branch has the power to review legislative and executive acts.

The nation has four coequal supreme judicial courts. The Supreme Court of Justice is the highest criminal law court. Judges are selected by their peers and are nominated by the Superior Judicial Council. Judges serve eight year terms. The Council of State is the highest administrative law court. The judges are also selected by the Superior Judicial Council and serve eight-year terms. The Constitutional Court is responsible for constitutional law issues, amendments to the constitution and international treaties. The Superior Judicial Council controls the civilian judiciary and resolves jurisdictional conflicts between the courts. Members are selected amongst the three other courts and Congress. These judges serve for eight-year terms.

Political Parties in Colombia

Colombian Conservative Party (PC), Alternative Democratic Role (PDA), Liberal Party (PL), Radical Change (CR), Social National Unity Party (U Party). There were once fifteen other recognized political parties and even more unofficial ones, however they did not meet the 2006 voter threshold to be recognized as official parties.

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