Republic of Colombia Announces Preliminary Results of Its Offer to Purchase

BOGOTA, Colombia, Jan. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Republic of Colombia ("Colombia") announced today the preliminary results of its previously announced offer to purchase for cash (the "Offer") the securities listed in the table below (collectively the "Bonds"), on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in an Offer to Purchase, dated January 10, 2012 (the "Offer to Purchase").  Capitalized terms used but not defined in this notice are as defined in the Offer to Purchase.

The following table sets forth the approximate aggregate principal amount of each series of Bonds tendered on January 11, 2012 and accepted for purchase, and the applicable Purchase Price per 1,000 principal amount for each series.

No Bonds were accepted for purchase for the following series: 8.25% Global Bonds due 2014, 7.375% Notes due 2017, 11.75% Global Bonds due 2020 and 8.125% Global Bonds due 2024.

The aggregate principal amount of bonds tendered in the Offer was U.S.$2,716,828,000. The aggregate principal amount of bonds accepted for purchase is U.S.$578,374,000.

Earlier today Colombia announced the percentage of Bonds of each series that would be accepted for purchase.  Reference is made to that notice.

The Offer remains subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase, including the receipt of funds in an amount and on terms and conditions acceptable to Colombia.

The settlement of the transaction is expected to occur on Friday, January 27, 2012.  If you have tendered  Bonds in one or more of the series accepted for purchase pursuant to the Offer, you must submit all such tendered Bonds through the Euroclear or Clearstream clearing systems no later than the close of business on January 18, 2012, and accordingly your tendered Bonds must be held in those clearing systems by that time. If you hold Bonds through a broker, it is your responsibility to ensure that your broker is aware of the foregoing.  Failure to block your Bonds on time may result in the cancellation of your tender and in your becoming liable for any damages resulting from that failure. Holders will not have withdrawal rights with respect to the Offer.

Final results of the Offer will be announced promptly after settlement of the transaction.

Colombia is making the Offer only in those jurisdictions where it is legal to do so. 

Colombia has retained HSBC and J.P. Morgan to act as dealer managers for the Offer.  Questions regarding the Offer may be directed to HSBC at 888-HSBC-4LM (toll free) or +1-212-525-5552 or +44-20-7991-5874, and J.P. Morgan at 1-866-846-2874 (toll free) or +1-212-834-5402.

Requests for the Offer to Purchase should be directed to the Information Agent, Global Bondholder Services Corporation, at 1-866-804-2200 (toll free) or +1 212-430-3774.

This communication shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities referenced in this communication in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

United Kingdom:  This document is only being distributed to and is only directed at (i) persons who are outside the United Kingdom or (ii) to investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the "Order") or (iii) high net worth entities, and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated, falling within Articles 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as "relevant persons"). Any investment or investment activity to which this document relates is available only to relevant persons and will be engaged in only with relevant persons. Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this document or any of its contents.

SOURCE Republic of Colombia