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Colombian president and candidate Alvaro Uribe casts his vote during presidential elections in Bogota, May 28, 2006. Uribe appeared set to sweep to reelection, with early results giving him more than 60 percent of the vote and an almost 40 point lead over his closest rival. (Xinhua Photo)

Colombian citizens cast vote during presidential elections in Bogota, May 28, 2006. (Xinhua Photo)

    BOGOTA, May 28 (Xinhua) -- Colombian President Alvaro Uribe was headed for victory in presidential election on Sunday with a strong lead in early returns.

    Uribe led with 61 percent after 21.2 percent of the vote was counted while his closest challenger Carlos Gaviria trailed with 22.67 percent.

    The election was the most peaceful vote in years in a country that has suffered horrifying bloodshed in the past four decades.

    A win by Uribe would be the first time in more than a century that an incumbent Colombian leader has been elected to a second term.

    The key to Uribe's success has been a crackdown on right-wing militias and the FARC rebels who use Colombia's cocaine trade to sustain an insurgency that kills thousands each year. Enditem