February 18, 2021
The power of Colombia’s president depends on his ability to manage the sometimes opposing interests of those who really control the country, like business associations.
While formally a democracy, all presidents of the 21st century have had no choice but to balance serving the public interest with private and even criminal interests.
This unstable balance of power is partly due to the country’s political history and culture, and partly a consequence of the country’s armed conflict.
The origin
The root of the problem is Colombia’s historically weak state, which has never allowed it to stand alone without support.