Colombian Presidential Term Limits: One Four-Year Term, No Immediate Re-election

Under the 1991 Constitution (Article 197), the President of Colombia serves a single four-year term and cannot be re-elected for the immediately following term.

Key Details

• Term Length: 4 years (no mid-term elections).
• Re-election Ban: Absolute prohibition on consecutive re-election since 1991 (reversed a 2004–2015 amendment that allowed one re-election; struck down by Constitutional Court in 2015).
• Non-Consecutive Return: A former president *can* run again after sitting out at least one term (e.g., Álvaro Uribe ran for Senate, not presidency; no former president has yet returned to the office).
• Vice President: Elected on same ticket; succeeds if president incapacitated; can run for president after term (no term limit for VP).

Historical Context

Pre-1991: Varied (often 4 years, sometimes re-election allowed, frequent coups). 1991 Constitution designed to prevent personalist caudillismo.

Current President (2022–2026): Gustavo Petro. Next election: 2026.