GLANCE

The son of one of Colombia's most powerful families, Juan Manuel Santos is the consummate political insider, a US- and British-trained economist whose great uncle, Eduardo Santos, served as president. His cousin is the current vice-president. Before moving into politics, Santos was an editor at the country's leading newspaper, El Tiempo, once owned by his family.

He has published several books including a "The Third Way" with the assistance of former British prime minister Tony Blair, and a book about the military operations he helped orchestrate as defense minister against leftist rebels.

Santos, 58, has held several ministerial positions. As defense minister under President Alvaro Uribe, Santos oversaw the military campaign that largely drove the leftist rebels into remote regions. Major victories included the dramatic rescue of French-Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt and three US defense contractors held hostage by the guerrillas.