01 June 2010

COLOMBIA: Frontrunner Santos Basks In Success; Seeks Better Relations; Markets React.

BLOOMBERG/     After former defense minister Juan Manuel Santos's better than expected showing in the presidential vote, he says he wants to restore good relations with Venezuela and Ecuador if he wins a 20 June run-off, seeking "in every possible way" to repair ties with the two neighboring nations. He also told supporters that “With me Colombians can sleep soundly. We won’t retreat from what has been achieved these past eight years.” “It’s going to take a very large mistake from Santos for him not to win,” said financial analyst Alberto Bernal. “The opinion poll companies should hang their heads in shame,” said broker Rupert Stebbings. “All Santos has to do is not fall off the horse over the next three weeks and the market will get what it wants.”