Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos reclaimed in early April some of the approval percentage points he lost in February and March, due to progress in peace talks with rebel group FARC.
According to the Centro Nacional Consultorio (CNC), a private research company, Santos’ approval rating increased from 56% to 63% between the 1st and the 5th of April, with a 3% margin of error.
FACT SHEET: Juan Manuel Santos approval ratings (August 2010 – present)
According to the CNC director, Carlos Lemoine, the increase was owed to advances in the peace dialogues between the FARC and the Colombian government in Havana.
After entering office in August 2010, Santos’ high approval ratings have steadily diminished.
In February of this year, ratings plummeted because of problems controlling institutional corruption, the rising cost of living for Colombians, and lack of progress a the peace talks. In fact, 67% of respondents said that the government’s handling of the guerrillas was getting worse while only 20% had a positive outlook. This is the worst response to the question in five years.