While both parties mainly represented only the wealthiest 5 percent of the population, who held most of the power, the conflict between the two was the source of much of the violence in Colombia.
Over the next four years Rojas’ popularity dwindled as he began to censor the press and enriched himself and those close to him at the expense of the national economy.
[1] As he prepared the way for re-election in 1957, Rojas began arresting opposition groups, killing protestors, and organizing a government-run third party.
He set up bills that would suspend universal suffrage, allow him to rule for another term, and enlarge the National Assembly to secure his re-election.
The Liberal and Conservative parties united in a Civic Front and put forth a single presidential candidate, Guillermo Valencia, in April 1957.
[1] After much dissatisfaction from a majority of the Colombian population, strikes and demonstrations rose up in large numbers, demanding President Gustavo Rojas Pinilla's resignation.
The strain was made worse by the discovery of a military police plot to assassinate Alberto Lleras Camargo and the five-man junta on May 2, 1958.