Vice President of Colombia

The Vice President of Colombia is the first in the presidential line of succession, becoming the new President of Colombia upon certain absences or death, resignation, or removal of the President. As designated by the Colombian Constitution of 1991 which also reinstated the vice president figure after almost a century of being abolished during the presidency of Rafael Nuñez. The current Vice President of Colombia is Francisco Santos Calderón who also became the first Vice President to be reelected in a democratic election.

Eligibility

The vice president must be a natural-born citizen of Colombia, at least 30 years of age. [http://pdba.georgetown.edu/Comp/Ejecutivo/Presidencia/requisitos.html] The Colombian Constitution of 1991 requires the vice president to meet the same eligibility requirements as the president that can be re-elected. It is also eligible for an unlimited number of terms as vice president.

Current Functions

The Vice President has the same period of functions that the President of Colombia and will replace him in case of temporary or complete absences. The Vice President can also be authorized by the President especial missions (like to represent him on international diplomatic visits) or designate him in any position of the Colombian Executive branch of Power.

Every President has defined the Vice Presidents functions within their government. The current Vice President Francisco Santos is managing the projects:
*Presidential Project for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law, which includes the Antipersonnel Mine Observatory and the Project for the Discapacitated.
* Fight Against extortions and kidnappings Project.
* Fight Against Corruption Presidential Project.

Constitutional mandate

According to the Decree 2719 of December 17, 2000 in the Colombian Constitution of 1991 which modified the structure of the Administrative Department of the Presidency of Colombia] , the functions of the Vice President are:

# To execute special missions set by the President of Colombia and in accordance with the Colombian Constitution.
# Advise the President on the execution of policies and politics regarding Human Rights and Corruption.
# Collaborate with the Colombian government's management of internation and national activities regarding Human Rights and corruption.
# Plan mechanisms to harmonize agreements between the different levels of the executive government in Colombia on issues regarding Human Rights and corruption.
# Represent Colombia internationally as ordered by the President.
# By determination fo the President, the Vice President will support and advice the President on other issues.
# Other functions will be addressed according to the needs of the President.

ee also

* List of Vice Presidents of Colombia
* List of Presidents of Colombia
* President of Colombia
* Human rights in Colombia

References

* [http://www.vicepresidencia.gov.co/funciones.htm Vice Presidencia de Colombia official website]
* [http://www.lablaa.org/blaavirtual/revistas/credencial/marzo1993/marzo1.htm Biblioteca Luis Angel Arango - List of Vice Presidents of Colombia]