President Santos Opens Colombian Congress

Incumbent President Juan Manuel Santos, fresh from his re-election victory, inaugurated the opening of Colombia's Congress on Sunday declaring it the "Congress of Peace."



In a speech punctuated with references to the Colombian national football team's success at the recent World Cup finals in Brazil, Santos called on Colombians to take inspiration from the players and the team.



"Today, honorable members of Congress, it's up to us to hoist the flag high and continue our progress on the path to harmony, prosperity, fairness and peace," he said.



Speaking on Colombia's 204th Independence Day, Santos listed the issues which he hopes to tackle. Despite starting his second term as president, Santos declared that he wanted to do away with the two-term policy and make it possible for the president to only run once for office as well as reducing the powers of the Office of Inspector General, which has been embroiled in recent scandals.



The President also highlighted the lack of congressional representation for 13 of Colombia's 32 departments as an area for change.



Turning to peace talks in Havana, Cuba, with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia guerrillas, known as FARC, and the smaller National Liberation Army, or ELN, new Senate President Jose David Name said: "Firstly we are going to support and push ahead with the issue of peace."



"This Senate will be legislating for a post-conflict era. We will have a very strong commitment to health reform, education and overseeing Congress." 



Former president Alvaro Uribe (2002-2010), who has been a vocal opponent of Santos, is the first ex-president to lead the opposition in Congress. He criticized the president's policies towards national security, the economy, foreign affairs and mining.



Santos, who will now lead Colombia until 2018, pointed out the successes of his first term, such as "progressive laws and policies" which guarantee rights to Colombians and help international investors.



He added: "We have created jobs at a greater rate than ever before – two and a half million new jobs, most formal employment – but we remain with the challenge of addressing the similar number of people who are out of work."



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