Colombia's former president, Andres Pastrana, has been named the country's next ambassador to the United States.
Mr. Pastrana, a lawyer and former television journalist, is replacing Luis Alberto Moreno.
Mr. Pastrana led Colombia from 1998 to 2002, but has spent the past several years living in Spain. His main objectives as ambassador to the United States will include promoting "Plan Colombia" - a U.S. sponsored anti-cocaine initiative.
Over the past three years, the United States has spent more than $3 billion to help eradicate coca production in Colombia.
Critics of the plan say it has done little to combat drug trafficking or stem Colombia's drug-fueled civil war.
Some information for this report provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.