President of Colombia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids President of theRepublic of Colombia |
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| Government of Colombia Executive Branch of Colombia |
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| Style | Mr. President (informal) The Honorable (formal) His Excellency (diplomatic) |
| Abbreviation | PDTE-CO |
| Member of | Cabinet National Government National Economic Council |
| Residence | Casa de Nariño |
| Seat | Bogotá, D.C. |
| Appointer | Popular vote or via succession from vice presidency |
| Term length | Four years, non renewable |
| Constituting instrument | Constitution of Colombia |
| Formation | 17 December 1819 |
| First holder | Simón Bolívar |
| Salary | Colombian pesos 32,624,000/US$ 6,847 monthly |
| Website | presidencia.gov.co |
The President of Colombia is the country's main leader. They are both the head of state and the head of government of Colombia. This means they represent Colombia to the world and also manage the country's daily operations. The President is also the top commander of Colombia's military forces.
The President's power has grown a lot since the first president, Simón Bolívar, started in 1819. The role has become very important in Colombian politics, especially since the early 1900s.
The job of President was created when the Constitution of 1819 was approved. This happened in December 1819, when Colombia was part of "Gran Colombia". General Simón Bolívar was the first president. He took office in 1819, and his position was later confirmed by the Congress.
Today, the President is chosen directly by the people through voting. They serve for four years, along with the Vice President. A person can only be elected for one presidential term. If a president leaves office early due to death or resignation, the Vice President takes over. So far, 34 people have served as president. Gustavo Petro is the current president, starting his term on August 7, 2022.
Contents
What Does the President Do?
Leading the Military
One of the President's most important jobs is being the Commander-in-Chief of the Colombian Military Forces. While Congress officially declares war, the President is in charge of directing and using the armed forces. The Constitution says the President leads the public forces as the Supreme Commander.
Managing the Country
The President leads the Executive Branch of the government. This branch is responsible for carrying out all the administrative tasks that help the country run smoothly. The President represents national unity and is the highest administrative authority.
The National Government includes the President, the ministers, and directors of government departments. The President and the relevant minister or department director work together on specific government matters.
Dealing with Other Countries
The President has a big role in foreign policy. They are responsible for welcoming ambassadors from other countries. This means the President has the power to officially recognize foreign governments. The President also chooses Colombian ambassadors and helps negotiate agreements with other countries. These agreements become national law once approved by the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
With new technology, presidents can now meet directly with leaders from other countries. This has made the President's role in foreign affairs even more powerful.
Presidential Responsibilities
As the head of state, the President is the public face of Colombia, both at home and abroad. They represent the country and work to protect its international image. Since 1934, the First Lady often accompanies the President at official events and state visits.
The President of Colombia symbolizes the country's unity. After taking an oath to the Constitution of Colombia, they promise to protect the rights and freedoms of all Colombian citizens.
The Administrative Department of the Presidency of Colombia helps the President with their constitutional duties and legal matters.
The National Government is made up of the President, the Vice President, the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Colombia, and the directors of administrative departments. Any action taken by the President must be approved by a minister or department director to be legal. The only exception is when the President appoints or removes ministers or other officials.
Governors of the Departments of Colombia, mayors of Municipalities of Colombia, and other regional leaders are also part of the executive branch of Colombia.
How a President is Chosen
Who Can Be President?
To become President, a person must be a natural-born citizen of Colombia. They must also be at least 30 years old.
Campaigns and Elections
Modern presidential campaigns start before the main elections. Political parties hold primary elections to choose their best candidate. The chosen candidate then picks a running mate for the Vice Presidency. Many presidents in Colombia have been lawyers before taking office.
The President and Vice President are elected by popular vote for a four-year term. Since 2015, a president cannot run for reelection, even for a non-consecutive term.
Inauguration Day
The President's inauguration is a special ceremony held every four years on August 7. This event marks the official start of a new presidential term.
The Presidential Sash
The presidential sash is a special symbol of the President's office. It is believed that Antonio Nariño first introduced a presidential sash. Over time, its design has changed. Today, the sash has the three colors of the national flag and features the coat of arms in the middle.
Life as President
Where the President Lives
The official home of the Colombian President is the Casa de Nariño. While in office, the President can use its facilities, including medical care, recreation, and security. The first presidential palace was in Bogotá's Plaza Mayor. Later, the official residence moved to the Palacio de San Carlos. In 1885, President Rafael Núñez bought the house where Antonio Nariño was born to use as the official residence. This building was later remodeled into the current Casa de Nariño.
The President also has the House of Illustrious Guests in Cartagena de Indias to host international visitors. For relaxation, there's the Hato Grande country estate in Sopó, which was once owned by General Francisco de Paula Santander.
Presidential Travel
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When traveling, the President uses a special plane called FAC 0001, which is a Boeing 737 Business Jet. They also use two helicopters for travel.
Presidential Protection
The President's security is handled by the Presidential Guard. This special military unit was officially created on December 7, 1927. Their job is to protect the President, their family, and the Casa de Nariño. The Presidential Guard has been praised for protecting presidents during important historical events. Since 1958, this battalion includes members from different parts of the National Army.
See also
In Spanish: Presidente de Colombia para niños
