ABSTRACT
With the initiation of the first officially non-Front government, Colombia awaited the efforts of the new administration in its pledge to confront endemic economic problems and to alleviate social inequities. Service in the legislature, activism within the party, international postings abroad, and a stint as newspaper editor were all a part of his experience. International reserves were built up by over US$2 billion and the official debt service position was strengthened by reducing public external debt. Alfonso Lopez Michelsen faced the test of demonstrating the extent to which systemic social and political controls might be affected under the first nominally post-National Front administration. Ironically, the divisions within the majority party were intensifying. Alfonso Lopez Michelsen had convened a party convention on 26 July 1974 to win official approval of his campaign document El Mandato Claro.
