A gifted and dedicated politician, he was fearless in exploring links between organised crime, drug trafficking and government. For this, he was killed on 18 August 1989 outside Bogota, while on the campaign trail. He was running for President. Dr Galan's legacy remains, and many of the reforms he advocated have become reality, including new electoral procedures designed to reduce rampant vote-buying and important changes to the constitution. Dr Galan remains a hero to Colombians and Latin Americans, and the principles for which he lived and died are still being pursued.