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List of presidents of Colombia facts for kids

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Casa-narino-1-fachada
The House of Nariño, the president's official residence and the center of government.

The President of Colombia is the leader of the country, much like a principal is the leader of a school. They are the head of state, which means they represent the entire nation. They are also the head of government, in charge of running the country's day-to-day business. The president is also the commander-in-chief of the Military Forces of Colombia.

Every four years, the people of Colombia vote to choose their president. To become president, a person must be a citizen born in Colombia and be at least 30 years old. If a president cannot finish their term, the vice president takes over.

This page lists all the presidents Colombia has had throughout its history. The country's name has changed several times, so the list is divided into different historical periods.

Leaders During the Fight for Independence (1810–1819)

Before Colombia became the country it is today, it went through a period of fighting for independence from Spain. During this time, from 1810 to 1819, several different governments were formed. The leaders of these early governments are considered some of Colombia's first presidents. This was a time of great change, with many leaders serving for short periods.

Early Leaders of Colombia (1810–1819)
No. Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)		 Took office Left office Role
1 José Miguel Pey.jpg José Miguel Pey
(1763–1838)		 25 July 1810 1 April 1811 President of the Supreme Junta
2 Lozajorg.jpg Jorge Tadeo Lozano
(1771–1816)		 1 April 1811 29 September 1811 President of the State of Cundinamarca
3 Antonio Nariño por José María Espinosa.jpg Antonio Nariño
(1765–1823)		 30 September 1811 13 August 1813 President of the State of Cundinamarca
4 Manuel de Bernardo Álvarez.jpg Manuel Bernardo Álvarez
(1743–1816)		 13 August 1813 12 December 1814 President of the State of Cundinamarca
5 Camilotorres.jpg Camilo Torres Tenorio
(1766–1816)		 27 October 1812 5 October 1814 President of the Congress
6 José Miguel Pey.jpg José Miguel Pey
(1763–1838)		 25 March 1815 15 November 1815 Member of the Triumvirate
7 Camilotorres.jpg Camilo Torres Tenorio
(1766–1816)		 15 November 1815 12 March 1816 President of the United Provinces
8 Fernjose.jpg José Fernández Madrid
(1789–1830)		 14 March 1816 22 June 1816 President of the United Provinces
9 Fi 53 Serrano, Fernando.jpg Fernando Serrano Uribe
(1789–1819)		 16 July 1816 16 September 1816 President of the United Provinces

Gran Colombia: A Union of Nations (1819–1831)

After gaining independence, Colombia joined with the lands that are now Venezuela, Ecuador, and Panama to form a large country called Gran Colombia. Simón Bolívar was its famous first president. For much of his term, Vice President Francisco de Paula Santander was in charge while Bolívar was leading armies in other parts of South America.

Flag of the Gran Colombia (1819-1820).svg • Republic of Colombia • Coat of arms of Gran Colombia (1819).svg
No. Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)		 Took office Left office Political party
1 Bolivar Arturo Michelena.jpg Simón Bolívar
(1783–1830)		 15 February 1819 4 May 1830 Independent
2 JoaquínMosquera2.jpg Joaquín de Mosquera
(1787–1878)		 4 May 1830 4 September 1830 Independent
3 Rafael urdaneta.jpg Rafael Urdaneta
(1788–1845)		 4 September 1830 30 April 1831 Independent
4 Santander by Acevedo Bernal.jpg Francisco de Paula Santander
(1792–1840)		 10 March 1832 1 April 1837 Independent

The Republic of New Granada (1832–1858)

After Gran Colombia broke apart, the country became the Republic of New Granada. During this time, the main political groups, the Conservatives and Liberals, began to form. Presidents were elected for four-year terms.

Political parties

     Conservative      Liberal      Independent

Flag of New Granada.svg • Republic of New Granada • Coat of arms of New Granada.svg
No. Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)		 Took office Left office Political party
1 Santander by Acevedo Bernal.jpg Francisco de Paula Santander
(1792–1840)		 10 March 1832 1 April 1837 Independent
2 José Ignacio de Márquez en 1840 por José María Espinosa.jpg José Ignacio de Márquez
(1793–1880)		 1 April 1837 1 April 1841 Independent
3 General Pedro Alcántara Herrán.jpg Pedro Alcántara Herrán
(1800–1872)		 1 April 1841 1 April 1845 Independent
4 Tomás Cipriano de Mosquera 2.JPG Tomás Cipriano de Mosquera
(1798–1878)		 1 April 1845 1 April 1849 Independent
5 Litografía de José Hilario López.jpg José Hilario López
(1798–1869)		 1 April 1849 1 April 1853 Liberal
6 José María Obando.jpg José María Obando
(1795–1861)		 1 April 1853 17 April 1854 Liberal
7 Presidente josé maria melo colombia.png José María Melo
(1800–1860)		 17 April 1854 4 December 1854 Liberal
8 Presidente Mariano Ospina Rodríguez.png Mariano Ospina Rodríguez
(1805–1885)		 1 April 1857 1 April 1861 Conservative

A Time of Conflict: The Granadine Confederation (1858–1863)

For a few years, the country's name changed again to the Granadine Confederation. This was a difficult time with a major conflict inside the country between political groups. The government was not stable, and leadership changed hands more than once.

Flag of New Granada.svg • Granadine Confederation • Coat of arms of New Granada.svg
No. Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)		 Took office Left office Political party
1 Presidente Mariano Ospina Rodríguez.png Mariano Ospina Rodríguez
(1805–1885)		 1 April 1857 1 April 1861 Conservative
2 Bartolomé Calvo.jpg Bartolomé Calvo
(1815–1889)		 1 April 1861 18 July 1861 Conservative
3 Tomás Cipriano de Mosquera 2.JPG Tomás Cipriano de Mosquera
(1798–1878)		 18 July 1861 4 February 1863 Liberal

The United States of Colombia (1863–1886)

The country was then reorganized into the United States of Colombia. It was made up of nine "sovereign states" that had a lot of their own power, similar to the system in the United States of America. During this period, the president's term was shortened to only two years.

Flag of Colombia.svg • United States of Colombia • Coat of arms of United States of Colombia.svg
No. Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)		 Took office Left office Political party
1 Tomás Cipriano de Mosquera 2.JPG Tomás Cipriano de Mosquera
(1798–1878)		 14 May 1863 1 April 1864 Liberal
2 Presidente Manuel Murillo Toro.jpg Manuel Murillo Toro
(1816–1880)		 1 April 1864 1 April 1866 Liberal
3 Tomás Cipriano de Mosquera 2.JPG Tomás Cipriano de Mosquera
(1798–1878)		 1 April 1866 23 May 1867 Liberal
4 Manuel María de los Santos Acosta.jpg Santos Acosta
(1828–1901)		 23 May 1867 1 April 1868 Liberal
5 Santos Gutiérrez.jpg Santos Gutiérrez
(1820–1872)		 1 April 1868 1 April 1870 Liberal
6 Óleo Eustorgio Salgar.jpg Eustorgio Salgar
(1831–1885)		 1 April 1870 1 April 1872 Liberal
7 Presidente Manuel Murillo Toro.jpg Manuel Murillo Toro
(1816–1880)		 1 April 1872 1 April 1874 Liberal
8 Santiago Pérez Manosalva.png Santiago Pérez
(1830–1900)		 1 April 1874 1 April 1876 Liberal
9 Aquileo Parra Gómez.jpg Aquileo Parra
(1825–1900)		 1 April 1876 1 April 1878 Liberal
10 Presidente Julián Trujillo Largacha.jpg Julián Trujillo Largacha
(1828–1883)		 1 April 1878 1 April 1880 Liberal
11 Rafael Núñez, ca.1886.jpg Rafael Núñez
(1825–1894)		 1 April 1880 1 April 1882 Liberal
12 Retrato Francisco Javier Zaldua.jpg Francisco Javier Zaldúa
(1811–1882)		 1 April 1882 21 December 1882 Liberal
13 José Eusebio Otálora.jpg José Eusebio Otálora
(1826–1884)		 21 December 1882 1 April 1884 Liberal
14 Rafael Núñez, ca.1886.jpg Rafael Núñez
(1825–1894)		 1 April 1884 1 April 1886 Liberal

The Republic of Colombia (1886–Present)

In 1886, a new constitution was written, and the country was officially named the Republic of Colombia, the name it still has today. This new government was more centralized, meaning the national government in Bogotá had more power. The presidential term was eventually changed back to four years. Here are the presidents from that time until today.

Political parties

     National      Conservative      Liberal      Republican Union      Military      Colombia First      National Unity      Democratic Center      Humane Colombia

Flag of Colombia.svg • Republic of Colombia • Escudo de Colombia.svg
No. Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)		 Took office Left office Political party
1 Rafael Núñez Moledo.jpg Rafael Núñez
(1825–1894)		 1 April 1886 18 September 1894 National
2 Miguel antonio caro.png Miguel Antonio Caro
(1845–1909)		 18 September 1894 7 August 1898 National
3 Manuel antonio sanclemente.jpg Manuel Antonio Sanclemente
(1814–1902)		 7 August 1898 31 July 1900 National
4 José Manuel Marroquín.jpg José Manuel Marroquín
(1827–1908)		 31 July 1900 7 August 1904 Conservative
5 Rafael Reyes.jpg Rafael Reyes
(1849–1921)		 7 August 1904 27 July 1909 Conservative
6 Ramón González Valencia.jpg Ramón González Valencia
(1851–1928)		 7 August 1909 7 August 1910 Conservative
7 Carlos Eugenio Restrepo Restrepo.jpg Carlos Eugenio Restrepo
(1867–1937)		 7 August 1910 7 August 1914 Republican Union
8 Jose Vicente Concha LCCN20146960911.jpg José Vicente Concha
(1867–1929)		 7 August 1914 7 August 1918 Conservative
9 Marco Fidel Suarez.jpg Marco Fidel Suárez
(1855–1927)		 7 August 1918 11 November 1921 Conservative
10 Jorge Holguin.jpg Jorge Holguín
(1848–1928)		 11 November 1921 7 August 1922 Conservative
11 Gen'l. Pedro Nel Ospina, 5-4-22 LOC npcc.06199.tif Pedro Nel Ospina Vázquez
(1858–1927)		 7 August 1922 7 August 1926 Conservative
12 Miguel Abadía Méndez.jpg Miguel Abadía Méndez
(1867–1947)		 7 August 1926 7 August 1930 Conservative
13 Enrique Olaya Herrera 1.jpg Enrique Olaya Herrera
(1880–1937)		 7 August 1930 7 August 1934 Liberal
14 Alfonso Lopez Pumarejo.jpg Alfonso López Pumarejo
(1886–1959)		 7 August 1934 7 August 1938 Liberal
15 Eduardo-santos-montejo.jpg Eduardo Santos Montejo
(1888–1974)		 7 August 1938 7 August 1942 Liberal
16 Alfonso Lopez Pumarejo.jpg Alfonso López Pumarejo
(1886–1959)		 7 August 1942 7 August 1945 Liberal
17 Alberto Lleras Camargo, Presidente da Colômbia.tif Alberto Lleras Camargo
(1906–1990)		 7 August 1945 7 August 1946 Liberal
18 Mariano Ospina Pérez.jpg Mariano Ospina Pérez
(1891–1976)		 7 August 1946 7 August 1950 Conservative
19 Laureano Gómez (c. 1925-1926).jpg Laureano Gómez
(1889–1965)		 7 August 1950 13 June 1953 Conservative
20 Rojas pinilla.jpg Gustavo Rojas Pinilla
(1900–1975)		 13 June 1953 10 May 1957 Military
— Gabriel París, 1957 (cropped).jpg Military Junta
Led by Gabriel París Gordillo		 10 May 1957 7 August 1958 Military
21 Alberto Lleras Camargo, Presidente da Colômbia.tif Alberto Lleras Camargo
(1906–1990)		 7 August 1958 7 August 1962 Liberal
22 Guillermo Leon Valencia Munoz.jpg Guillermo León Valencia
(1909–1971)		 7 August 1962 7 August 1966 Conservative
23 Carlos Lleras Restrepo.gif Carlos Lleras Restrepo
(1908–1994)		 7 August 1966 7 August 1970 Liberal
24 Misael Pastrana.JPG Misael Pastrana Borrero
(1923–1997)		 7 August 1970 7 August 1974 Conservative
25 Alfonso Lopez Michelsen.jpg Alfonso López Michelsen
(1913–2007)		 7 August 1974 7 August 1978 Liberal
26 Julio Cesar Turbay.jpg Julio César Turbay Ayala
(1916–2005)		 7 August 1978 7 August 1982 Liberal
27 Belisario Betancur 1985.jpg Belisario Betancur
(1923–2018)		 7 August 1982 7 August 1986 Conservative
28 President Virgilio Barco.png Virgilio Barco Vargas
(1921–1997)		 7 August 1986 7 August 1990 Liberal
29 César Gaviria.jpg César Gaviria
(1947–)		 7 August 1990 7 August 1994 Liberal
30 Ernesto Samper.jpg Ernesto Samper
(1950–)		 7 August 1994 7 August 1998 Liberal
31 Andres Pastrana Arango (2001).jpg Andrés Pastrana Arango
(1954–)		 7 August 1998 7 August 2002 Conservative
32 Álvaro Uribe (cropped).jpg Álvaro Uribe
(1952–)		 7 August 2002 7 August 2010 Colombia First
33 Juan Manuel Santos and Lula (cropped).jpg Juan Manuel Santos
(1951–)		 7 August 2010 7 August 2018 National Unity
34 Iván Duque, oct 2021 1.1.jpg Iván Duque
(1976–)		 7 August 2018 7 August 2022 Democratic Center
35 Gustavo Petro 2022.jpg Gustavo Petro
(1960–)		 7 August 2022 Incumbent Humane Colombia

Timeline

This timeline shows all the presidents of Colombia and how long they served. The different colors represent their political parties.

Gustavo Petro Iván Duque Juan Manuel Santos Álvaro Uribe Vélez Andrés Pastrana Arango Ernesto Samper Pizano César Gaviria Trujillo Virgilio Barco Vargas Belisario Betancur Cuartas Julio César Turbay Ayala Alfonso López Michelsen Misael Pastrana Borrero Carlos Lleras Restrepo Guillermo León Valencia Muñoz Military Junta Gustavo Rojas Pinilla Laureano Gómez Castro Mariano Ospina Pérez Alberto Lleras Camargo Eduardo Santos Montejo Alfonso López Pumarejo Enrique Olaya Herrera Miguel Abadía Méndez Pedro Nel Ospina Vázquez Jorge Holguín Mallarino Marco Fidel Suárez José Vicente Concha Ferreira Carlos Eugenio Restrepo Restrepo Ramón González Valencia Rafael Reyes Prieto José Manuel Marroquín Ricaurte Manuel Antonio Sanclemente Sanclemente Miguel Antonio Caro Tobar José Eusebio Otálora Martínez Francisco Javier Zaldúa y Racines Rafael Núñez Moledo Julián Trujillo Largacha Aquileo Parra Gómez Santiago Pérez de Manosalbas Eustorgio Salgar Moreno Santos Gutiérrez Prieto Santos Acosta Castillo Manuel Murillo Toro Bartolomé Calvo Díaz Mariano Ospina Rodríguez José María Melo y Ortiz José María Obando del Campo José Hilario López Valdéz Tomás Cipriano de Mosquera y Arboleda Pedro Alcántara Herrán Martínez José Ignacio de Márquez Barreto Francisco de Paula Santander y Omaña Rafael Urdaneta y Faría Joaquín de Mosquera y Arboleda Simón Bolívar y Palacios Colombian Constitution of 1991 Colombian Constitution of 1886 Colombian Constitution of Rionegro Granadine Confederation#Constitution of 1858 Constitutional history of Colombia#The Reform of 1853 Constitutional history of Colombia#The Reform of 1843 Republic of New Granada#Colombian constitution of 1832 Constitutional history of Colombia#The Admirable Congress and the Constitution of 1830 Colombian Constitution of Cucuta

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Anexo:Presidentes de Colombia para niños

Images for kids

  • Flag of the Revolution of 1810 (New Granada)

    Flag of the Revolution of 1810

  • Coat of Arms of Bogota

    Coat of Arms of Bogota

  • Amar borbon

    Antonio José Amar y Borbón

  • José Miguel Pey

    José Miguel Pey

  • Flag of Cundinamarca

    Flag of Cundinamarca

  • Escudo de Cundinamarca

    Coat of Arms of Cundinamarca

  • Lozajorg

    Jorge Tadeo Lozano

  • Antonio Nariño por José María Espinosa

    Antonio Nariño

  • Manuel de Bernardo Álvarez

    Manuel Bernardo Álvarez

  • Coat of arms of United Provinces of New Granada

    Coat of arms of United Provinces of New Granada

  • Tadeo1

    Jorge Tadeo Lozano

  • Antonio Nariño (Ramón Torres Méndez, 1860)

    Antonio Nariño y Álvarez

  • Mbenitocastro

    Manuel Benito de Castro Arcaya

  • Antonio Narino - LABLAA

    Antonio Nariño y Álvarez

  • Felipe de Vergara Azcarate y Caycedo

    Felipe de Vergara Azcárate y Caycedo

  • Camilo Torres y Tenorio

    Camilo Torres Tenorio

  • José Fernández Madrid

    José Fernández Madrid

  • Joaquin Camacho

    José Joaquín Camacho

  • García Rovira

    Custodio García Rovira

  • Rodrtori

    Manuel Rodríguez Torices

  • Crisanto Valenzuela y Conde

    Crisanto Valenzuela

  • Antonio Villavicencio

    Antonio Villavicencio y Verastegui

  • Camilo Torres

    Camilo Torres Tenorio

  • Fernjose

    José Fernández Madrid

  • Mejilibo

    Liborio Mejía Gutiérrez

  • Fi 53 Serrano, Fernando

    Fernando Serrano Uribe

  • Flag of the Gran Colombia

    Flag of Gran Colombia

  • Coat of arms of Gran Colombia (1821)

    Coat of arms of Gran Colombia (1821)

  • Francisco de Paula Santander (painting by José María Espinosa)

    Francisco de Paula Santander y Omaña

  • Estanislaopresidente

    Estanislao Vergara y Sanz de Santamaría

  • Óleo de Domingo Caycedo

    Domingo Caycedo y Sanz de Santamaría

  • Domingo Caycedo Sanz de Santamaría

    Domingo Caycedo y Sanz de Santamaría

  • José María Obando del Campo

    José María Obando del Campo

  • José Ignacio de Márquez

    José Ignacio de Márquez Barreto

  • Juan José Nieto Gil Oleo

    Juan José Nieto Gil

  • José Gregorio Ignacio Gutiérrez Vergara

    José Gregorio Ignacio Gutiérrez Vergara

  • Bartolomé Calvo

    Bartolomé Calvo Díaz

  • Manuel antonio sanclemente

    Manuel Antonio Sanclemente Sanclemente

  • José Manuel Marroquín

    José Manuel Marroquín Ricaurte

  • Rafael Reyes

    Rafael Reyes Prieto

  • Ramón González Valencia

    Ramón González Valencia

  • Carlos Eugenio Restrepo Restrepo

    Carlos Eugenio Restrepo Restrepo

  • Jose Vicente Concha LCCN20146960911

    José Vicente Concha Ferreira

  • Marco Fidel Suarez

    Marco Fidel Suárez

  • Jorge Holguin

    Jorge Holguín Mallarino

  • Gen. Pedro Nel Ospina, Pres. Colombia (LOC)

    Pedro Nel Ospina Vázquez

  • Miguel Abadía Méndez

    Miguel Abadía Méndez

  • Enrique Olaya Herrera 1

    Enrique Olaya Herrera

  • Alfonso Lopez Pumarejo

    Alfonso López Pumarejo

  • Eduardo-santos-montejo

    Eduardo Santos Montejo

  • Mariano Ospina Pérez

    Mariano Ospina Pérez

  • Laureano Gómez (c. 1925-1926)

    Laureano Gómez Castro

  • Rojas pinilla

    Gustavo Rojas Pinilla

  • Guillermo Leon Valencia Munoz

    Guillermo León Valencia Muñoz

  • Carlos Lleras Restrepo

    Carlos Lleras Restrepo

  • Misael Pastrana

    Misael Pastrana Borrero

  • Alfonso Lopez Michelsen

    Alfonso López Michelsen

  • Julio Cesar Turbay

    Julio César Turbay Ayala

  • Belisario Betancur 1985

    Belisario Betancur Cuartas

  • Virgilio Barco Vargas

    Virgilio Barco Vargas

  • César Gaviria

    César Gaviria Trujillo

  • Ernesto Samper

    Ernesto Samper Pizano

  • Andres Pastrana Arango (2001)

    Andrés Pastrana Arango

  • Álvaro Uribe (cropped)

    Álvaro Uribe Vélez

  • Juan Manuel Santos and Lula (cropped)

    Juan Manuel Santos Calderón

  • Iván Duque, presidente de Colombia

    Iván Duque Márquez

  • Gustavo Petro 2022

    Gustavo Petro Urrego

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