Santos assumes Colombia’s presidency, Venezuela’s foreign minister in attendance

Santos sworn in as Colombia’s 59th president

BOGOTA, Colombia — Juan Manuel Santos has been sworn in as the 59th president of Colombia — the Western Hemisphere’s only nation beset by an armed conflict.

A reminder of the conflict was the absence of Venezeulan President Hugo Chavez among the 14 Latin American presidents attending Saturday’s inauguration.

Chavez broke ties with Colombia two weeks ago after outgoing President Alvaro Uribe released video of alleged Colombian rebel camps in Venezuela.

Venezuela’s foreign minister did attend, saying Chavez’s government is ready to extend a hand of friendship to Colombia’s new leader.