As the congressional elections draw near, it is already clear that they will be riddled with fraud and corruption. The next generation of Colombian leaders will likely include more than a handful of crooks and criminals.

Guaranteeing fairness and good practice in Colombia’s upcoming congressional and presidential elections is a matter of political urgency, which requires vigilance by citizens and the media, and the use of new technologies.

President Uribe's time in power has been a period of huge advances for Colombia. But as his rule finally comes to an end, the fact remains that Uribe has failed to cleanse the country of para-politicians, narco-trafficking thugs and money-laundering crooks - Colombia's deeply ingrained culture of violence and corruption, which the next president will have to face.