The latest burst of Colombian anticlericalism is…

The latest burst of Colombian anticlericalism is in part to punish the clergy for supporting the Conservatives in the recent civil war.

It drives a further wedge of bitterness between the parties, and it consolidates the image of Liberal impiety among the Conservative rank and file.

Had elections been free and fair, the Conservatives surely would have returned to power, for without much doubt they are the majority party at this time.

Intent on staving off any such disaster, the Liberals engage in rampant electoral manipulation.

Nevertheless, the opposition is not totally excluded; much of the time it controls one or two of the states, and it has some share of influence elsewhere by exploiting divisions in the Liberal camp.

The ruling Liberals establish a somewhat better record as far as basic civil liberties are concerned, and when Mosquera, who is reelected a last time in 1866, shows insufficient respect for constitutional technicalities, the Liberals summarily depose him in May 1867.

The Liberals also make a few attempts to promote social and economic development, despite the constitutional straitjacket in which they have placed the national authorities.