Changes

==Government==

==Government==

 

Under 1886 Constitution, executive, legislative, and judicial branches established with separation of powers and with checks and balances; nonetheless, executive retained strong policy-making authority. Chief executive is president of the republic, elected by direct popular vote for a four-year term and constitutionally probibited from seeking consecutive terms. Legislative authority vested in bicameral Congress consisting of 114-member Senate and 199-member House of Representatives. Congress popularly elected for four-year term. Judiciary consists of twenty-four-member Supreme Court; various district superior, circuit, municipal, and lower courts; and Council of State. In addition to national government, Colombia divided into twenty-three departments, four intendancies, and five commisaryships.  

Under 1886 Constitution, executive, legislative, and judicial branches established with separation of powers and with checks and balances; nonetheless, executive retained strong policy-making authority. Chief executive is president of the republic, elected by direct popular vote for a four-year term and constitutionally probibited from seeking consecutive terms. Legislative authority vested in bicameral Congress consisting of 114-member Senate and 199-member House of Representatives. Congress popularly elected for four-year term. Judiciary consists of twenty-four-member Supreme Court; various district superior, circuit, municipal, and lower courts; and Council of State. In addition to national government, Colombia divided into twenty-three departments, four intendancies, and five commisaryships.  

[[File:Bogota Colombia.jpg|thumb|left|770px|Bogota, the capital.]]

[[File:Bogota Colombia.jpg|thumb|left|770px|Bogota, the capital.]]

In January 2007, Colombian leaders presented a new strategy to consolidate and build on progress under Plan Colombia, called the "Strategy to Strengthen Democracy and Social Development." The new strategy continues successful Plan Colombia programs while increasing state presence by improving access to social services, and supporting economic development through sustainable growth and trade.

In January 2007, Colombian leaders presented a new strategy to consolidate and build on progress under Plan Colombia, called the "Strategy to Strengthen Democracy and Social Development." The new strategy continues successful Plan Colombia programs while increasing state presence by improving access to social services, and supporting economic development through sustainable growth and trade.

===Peace agreement with FARC and Duque administration===

===Peace agreement with the FARC and Duque administration===

The Colombian government approved a peace accord with the [[Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia]] (FARC) in 2016.<ref>Karl, Robert (October 1, 2016). [https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2016/10/01/heres-the-century-long-history-behind-colombias-peace-agreement-with-the-farc/ Here’s the century-long history behind Colombia’s peace agreement with the FARC]. ''The Washington Post''. Retrieved October 1, 2016.</ref> However, voters narrowly rejected the peace deal in a referendum, as there were worries that the deal was far too lenient towards the FARC.<ref>Murphy, Helen & Cobb, Julia Symmes (October 3, 2016). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-colombia-peace-idUSKCN1230BH Colombia's peace deal in limbo after shock referendum]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved October 4, 2016.</ref> In November 2016, the Colombian government approved a revised treaty with FARC, changed to address some, but not all, of the concerns of conservatives.<ref name="Skipping">Casey, Nicholas (November 24, 2016). [https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/24/world/americas/colombia-juan-manuel-santos-peace-deal-farc.html?_r=0 Colombia and FARC Sign New Peace Deal, This Time Skipping Voters]. ''The New York Times''. Retrieved November 26, 2016.</ref> This time, the treaty was not brought before the voters, but rather the Colombian Congress.<ref name="Skipping"/> It was reported in April 2017 that FARC continued to possess weapons despite the deal that was made.<ref>Arostegui, Martin (April 20, 2017). [https://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/04/20/colombias-farc-concealing-weapons-despite-deal-intelligence-analysts-say.html Colombia's FARC concealing weapons despite deal, intelligence analysts say]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved April 20, 2017.</ref> It was reported in mid-May that FARC members continued to engage in violence and kidnappings.<ref>Martel, Frances (May 15, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2017/05/15/colombia-farc-terrorists-continue-abductions-violence-as-peace-deal-kicks-in/ Colombia: FARC Terrorists Abduct Ranchers, UN Employee as Peace Deal Kicks In]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 16, 2017.</ref> FARC continued to exist, but at a political party.<ref>Bocanegra, Nelson; Cobb, Julia Symmes (August 27, 2017). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-colombia-peace-politics/after-decades-of-war-colombias-farc-rebels-debut-political-party-idUSKCN1B705U After decades of war, Colombia's FARC rebels debut political party]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved December 25, 2017.</ref> By April 2018, the peace agreement was failing, and violence and cocaine production had sharply risen.<ref>Arostegui, Martin (May 3, 2018). [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/may/3/farc-violence-cocaine-production-spike-colombia-th/ Cracks in the FARC peace deal: Violence, cocaine production surge in Colombia]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved May 4, 2018.</ref>

The Colombian government approved a peace accord with the [[Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia]] (FARC) in 2016.<ref>Karl, Robert (October 1, 2016). [https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2016/10/01/heres-the-century-long-history-behind-colombias-peace-agreement-with-the-farc/ Here’s the century-long history behind Colombia’s peace agreement with the FARC]. ''The Washington Post''. Retrieved October 1, 2016.</ref> However, voters narrowly rejected the peace deal in a referendum, as there were worries that the deal was far too lenient towards the FARC.<ref>Murphy, Helen & Cobb, Julia Symmes (October 3, 2016). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-colombia-peace-idUSKCN1230BH Colombia's peace deal in limbo after shock referendum]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved October 4, 2016.</ref> In November 2016, the Colombian government approved a revised treaty with FARC, changed to address some, but not all, of the concerns of conservatives.<ref name="Skipping">Casey, Nicholas (November 24, 2016). [https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/24/world/americas/colombia-juan-manuel-santos-peace-deal-farc.html?_r=0 Colombia and FARC Sign New Peace Deal, This Time Skipping Voters]. ''The New York Times''. Retrieved November 26, 2016.</ref> This time, the treaty was not brought before the voters, but rather the Colombian Congress.<ref name="Skipping"/> It was reported in April 2017 that FARC continued to possess weapons despite the deal that was made.<ref>Arostegui, Martin (April 20, 2017). [https://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/04/20/colombias-farc-concealing-weapons-despite-deal-intelligence-analysts-say.html Colombia's FARC concealing weapons despite deal, intelligence analysts say]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved April 20, 2017.</ref> It was reported in mid-May that FARC members continued to engage in violence and kidnappings.<ref>Martel, Frances (May 15, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2017/05/15/colombia-farc-terrorists-continue-abductions-violence-as-peace-deal-kicks-in/ Colombia: FARC Terrorists Abduct Ranchers, UN Employee as Peace Deal Kicks In]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 16, 2017.</ref> FARC continued to exist, but at a political party.<ref>Bocanegra, Nelson; Cobb, Julia Symmes (August 27, 2017). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-colombia-peace-politics/after-decades-of-war-colombias-farc-rebels-debut-political-party-idUSKCN1B705U After decades of war, Colombia's FARC rebels debut political party]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved December 25, 2017.</ref> By April 2018, the peace agreement was failing, and violence and cocaine production had sharply risen.<ref>Arostegui, Martin (May 3, 2018). [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/may/3/farc-violence-cocaine-production-spike-colombia-th/ Cracks in the FARC peace deal: Violence, cocaine production surge in Colombia]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved May 4, 2018.</ref>