(CNN) -- Juan Manuel Santos was sworn in Saturday as Colombia's new president, vowing to unify his country around the goals of prosperity for all and of thwarting the nation's leftist rebels. "It is possible to have a peaceful Colombia, a Colombia with no guerrillas, and we will prove that by reason or by force," Santos said in Bogota in his first televised remarks as head of state. "As long as they don't free the hostages, as long as they perpetrate terrorist acts, as long as they don't return children recruited by force, as long as they keep on planting mines and polluting the Colombian countryside, we will keep on battling those who commit violence, without exception, by any means available," he said.
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NEW: Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez wants to meet with new Colombian president
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NEW: Foreign ministers of Colombia and Venezuela to meet Sunday
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Juan Manuel Santos took office Saturday afternoon
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Santos won more votes than any presidential candidate in Colombian history
In an early test of Santos' diplomatic skills, his inauguration was attended by the foreign minister of Venezuela, which is at odds with Colombia over accusations that Colombian rebels have found refuge in @placeholder.
But on Friday, @placeholder said he hoped to offer more details about relations with Colombia in the coming days, according to state media.