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Alberto Lleras Camargo

president of Colombia

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Alberto Lleras Camargo was a significant figure in Colombian politics, serving as president and playing a key role in establishing the National Front coalition. This coalition, formed in 1957 between the Liberal and Conservative parties, aimed to end the period of intense political violence known as "La Violencia".12

The National Front agreement stipulated an equal sharing of government positions and a rotation of the presidency between the Liberal and Conservative parties for 16 years. Lleras Camargo, representing the Liberals, was chosen as president in 1958. His presidency saw the implementation of agrarian reform, the initiation of national economic planning, and Colombia's participation in the U.S. Alliance for Progress program. However, economic challenges, including low coffee prices and unemployment, persisted during his term.1

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