Santos arrives in London

Colombian President-elect Juan Manuel Santos kicked off his international tour with a visit to England on Thursday, before assuming office on August 7, Caracol Radio reports.

Santos is expected to meet with former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair on Friday morning, and then with current Prime Minister David Cameron on Monday.

The aim of Santos’ international tour, which will reportedly bring him to Germany, Spain, France, Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Chile and Peru, is to strengthen Colombian relations with the other countries before becoming president.

Maria Angela Holguin, who was appointed foreign minister by Santos last week, will accompany the president-elect on his tour.

Santos was elected Colombia’s 2010-2014 president, winning 69% of the vote on the June 20 run-off election, defeating his opponent, the Green Party’s Antanas Mockus, who only received 28%.

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