Only limited options are thus available when…

Only limited options are thus available when Francisco de Paula Santander (president, 1832-37) returns from exile to become the first elected president of New Granada.

He is more cautious than in the 1820s in pushing liberal reforms, but he promotes education while holding down military expenditures.

At the end of his term, Santander gives evidence of his legalistic bent by accepting the defeat of his chosen candidate and turning the presidency over to Jose Ignacio de Marquez Barreto (president, 1837-41), a former collaborator whom he now opposes.

Most of their differences are minor, but Santander objects to Marquez 's conciliatory gestures toward the former Bolivarian faction, with which he proceeds to share power once in office.