The United States government congratulated Juan Manuel Santos on his victory in Sunday’s presidential elections, saying that the U.S. “did not anticipate a significant change” in the bilateral relationship between the two countries, reports EFE.
“We congratulate President-elect Santos on his victory and the people and government of Colombia for carrying out the runoff election on Sunday fairly and transparently,” said State Department spokesman Philip Crowley.
Crowley went on to say that the U.S. government was “very happy,” that “there will be continuity,” and that the two nations would work together “to advance common goals to benefit our two peoples.”
The State Department spokesman stressed that the debates leading up to the elections “illustrate the commitment of Colombia to democratic principles.”
On the subject of Colombian relations with neighboring Venezuela, which Santos has promised to attempt to improve, Crowley said that “we wish him luck with that.”
French President Nicolas Sarkozy sent a letter to Colombia’s newly elected president, and invited Santos to visit France “very soon.”
“Our two countries maintain close, trusting relationships that have developed significantly during recent years, thanks mainly to his [Santos’] personal commitment,” Sarkozy said in the letter.
The leaders of Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Peru, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Portugal also sent congratulatory messages to Colombia’s next leader.
Santos was elected president on Sunday night with 69.06% of the vote, while his opponent Antanas Mockus won 27.52%.