Pastrana (Arango), Andres (1955– )

Colombian politician and president 1998–2002. A member of the Partido Social Conservador (PSC; Social Conservative Party), he was elected against an upsurge in violence, promising to make peace with guerrilla groups, and develop a strategy for national economic development and stability. His inability to secure a peace deal with the rebel groups despite granting them concessions contributed to his defeat in the 2002 general elections.

He pledged to end corruption in government following the scandal of his predecessor, Ernesto Samper, concerning the use of drugs money to fund election campaigns. Colombia continued to face economic recession, however, and Pastrana devalued the peso in July 1999.

In July 1998, Pastrana began peace talks with the Ejército de Liberación Nacional (ELN; National Liberation Army), and the following May, with the leaders of the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC; Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia). But continued violence and his inability to lift the economic recession adversely affected Pastrana's popularity.

Pastrana was Conservative mayor of Bogotá, and the son of the former president Misael Pastrana.