Vice President of Colombia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Vice President of theRepublic of Colombia |
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| Government of Colombia Executive Branch of Colombia |
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| Style | Madam Vice President (informal) The Honorable (formal) Her Excellency (diplomatic) |
| Member of | Cabinet National Government National Economic Council |
| Residence | Vice Presidential House |
| Seat | Bogotá, D.C. |
| Appointer | Popular vote, or, if vacant, President via Constitutional |
| Term length | Four years, non renewable |
| Constituting instrument | Constitution of Colombia |
| Precursor | Presidential Designate |
| Formation | 17 December 1819 |
| First holder | Francisco Antonio Zea |
| Succession | First |
| Salary | Colombian pesos 15,900,569/US$ 4044,26 monthly |
| Website | vicepresidencia.gov.co |
The Vice President of Colombia is a very important leader in the country. This person is the second-highest official in the government, right after the President of Colombia. If the president cannot do their job, the vice president steps in.
People in Colombia vote for the vice president at the same time they vote for the president. They both serve for four years. Since 1991, if the vice president's job becomes empty, the president can choose someone new. The vice president has an official home in Bogotá, D.C. called the House of the Vice President.
The vice president does not take over when the president is away for short trips or vacations. In those cases, the president asks a cabinet member, usually the Minister of the Interior, to help out. If the vice president is not available, the Congress chooses a new person for the role.
Currently, Francia Márquez is the Vice President of Colombia. She is the 13th person to hold this position. She is also the first Afro-Colombian and the second woman to be vice president. She started her term on August 7, 2022.
Contents
How the Vice President's Role Developed
Early Days of the Vice Presidency
The idea of a vice president was not part of the first constitution in 1821. This constitution said that a president would lead the country for four years. If the president was away or couldn't serve, the vice president would take over. The first president was Simón Bolívar, and Francisco de Paula Santander became the first vice president.
While Bolívar was away fighting for freedom in other countries like Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia, Santander took charge. He helped organize the new country's laws and how justice worked. He also supported education and tried to reduce the Catholic Church's control over schools. Bolívar did not like some of Santander's actions, thinking they were too much.
In 1826, Bolívar talked about his disagreements with Santander. He believed the vice president should be a very honest person. He felt that if the president didn't choose a good vice president, they might become enemies.
Santander was in power until 1827, when Bolívar returned. Because they had so many disagreements, Bolívar ended the vice president's role in 1828. He also stopped using the 1821 constitution and started a dictatorship. Bolívar's strict rule did not last long. In 1830, a new Congress met to write a new constitution.
Changes to the Vice President's Role
The Constitution of 1830 brought back the vice president's role. General Domingo Caycedo, who was acting vice president, even approved this new constitution. But this constitution didn't last long because Gran Colombia was breaking apart.
The Constitution of 1832 changed how the vice president was chosen. To avoid problems like those between Santander and Bolívar, the vice president was elected two years after the president. This meant the vice president would serve during parts of two different presidential terms. The vice president also led the Council of State, which advised the president.
Between 1832 and 1858, Colombia had civil wars and changes in government. But the country always had a vice president. However, in 1858, a new constitution removed the vice president's role. Instead, three people were chosen to replace the president if needed.
The vice president's role was not brought back until 1886. This was part of a new conservative constitution. Rafael Núñez used this role to get elected president and then let his vice president govern.
The Modern Vice Presidency Emerges
Eliseo Payan was the first vice president under the 1886 constitution. But he was quickly removed because his ideas were too liberal. Miguel Antonio Caro then took over. Many people believed Caro was the real power behind the government while President Núñez was away. When Núñez died in 1894, Caro continued to lead the country for two more years.
After Caro, Manuel Antonio Sanclemente became president in 1898. He was 84 years old when he took office. During his time, the country faced the War of the Thousand Days. Because the government was weak, Vice President José Manuel Marroquín was encouraged by others to take over. He did this in a coup on July 31, 1900.
After Marroquín, Rafael Reyes became president. At this time, the vice president's job was respected and had a lot of political power. This power could even balance the president's power. But Reyes, who wanted more control, ended the vice presidency in 1905. He also closed Congress. If the president was absent, ministers would choose a replacement. Even when the constitutional government returned in 1810, the vice presidency was not brought back. The history of disagreements and Marroquín's coup convinced Congress that it was better for them to choose temporary replacements for the president.
What the Vice President Does
Who Takes Over if the President is Away?
If both the president and vice president are unable to serve, Article 203 of the Constitution of Colombia explains what happens. A minister, chosen by law, will take over the president's job. This minister must belong to the same political party as the original president. They will be president until Congress chooses a new vice president within 30 days. The new vice president will then become president.
Official Duties of the Vice President
According to a law from 2000, which updated the 1991 Colombian Constitution of 1991, the vice president has several important jobs:
- To carry out special tasks given by the President of Colombia, following the country's constitution.
- To give advice to the president on how to handle issues like Human Rights and fighting corruption.
- To work with the Colombian government on international and national activities related to human rights and corruption.
- To plan ways for different parts of the government to work together on human rights and corruption issues.
- To represent Colombia in other countries when the president asks.
- To support and advise the president on other topics, as decided by the president.
- To perform any other duties needed by the president.
The Vice President's Role Today
The vice president's power comes from tasks given to them by the president and Congress. These tasks can be very important. The vice president's role often includes writing policies, speaking for the government, advising the president, and showing unity. How much influence the vice president has depends a lot on their relationship with the president.
How a Vice President is Chosen
Who Can Be Vice President?
To become vice president, a person must be born in Colombia. They must also be at least 30 years old. The Constitution of Colombia says that the vice president needs to meet the same requirements as the president. There is no limit to how many times a person can serve as vice president.
The Vice President's Office and Home
Where the Vice President Lives
The official home for the vice president was finished in 1999. It was bought in 1993. Gustavo Bell was the first vice president to live there. Before this, vice presidents lived in regular houses, apartments, or hotels. They received money to help with housing costs.
The vice president's home has a modern and traditional Colombian style. It includes the family living area and a garden. It also has two older republican-style houses that are used as offices. The main entrance has a large water staircase. The house was built between 1994 and 1999.
Travel and Getting Around
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For long trips, the president and vice president use special Boeing planes. These are modified Fokker F-28 airliners. When the vice president is on board, the plane is called "FAC-0002." Any plane from the Colombian Air Force carrying the vice president is called "FAC-0002" during the flight. For trips within Colombia, usually one plane is used. For international trips, both a main plane and a backup plane are used.
For shorter trips, the vice president can use Air Force helicopters. These flights are usually done with strong security.
See also
In Spanish: Vicepresidente de Colombia para niños
- List of vice presidents of Colombia
- Colombian presidential line of succession
