As expected, independent Alvaro Uribe won election as president with 53 percent of the vote. Uribe said he would not rule out peace talks with the rebels, but they would have to stop their attacks and kidnapping first. In the meantime, he plans to keep his election promise to double the size of the armed forces and go after the rebel groups. Meanwhile, the leftist rebels have been quiet, while the leaders of the anti-leftist AUC militia have congratulated Uribe. It will take at least a year for Uribe's plans to be put into effect.