Former president Cesar Gaviria resigned as leader of Colombia's Liberal Party on Thursday. Presidential candidate Rafael Pardo will replace him.
In a letter to Pardo, Gaviria announced that he has offered the party's presidency to the Liberal presidential hopeful.
"The unity of command and the voice of the party are absolutely essential to success. You ... have earned the respect of each and every one in the Liberal Party. I therefore believe that my presence as Liberal leader is unnecessary. With the party under your leadership and with you as candidate we will succeed in pushing our ideas for the benefit of the Colombians," the now-former Liberal Party leader wrote.
Pardo was elected candidate for the opposition Liberal Party in October.
