28-04-2016: Latin American Weekly Report

Colombia’s President Juan Manuel Santos reached out beyond his ruling Unidad Nacional coalition this week to forge a “post-conflict cabinet” that features members of almost all of the country’s parties across the political divide. The incorporation of the seven new cabinet ministers was also designed to represent all of the regions in the country and end the long- standing public perception of Colombian governments serving the interests of Bogotá first and foremost. The reshuffle is also an attempt by Santos to regain the initiative in the wake of public disillusionment with the failure to conclude peace talks with the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (Farc) in Cuba by the deadline of 24 March.