Colombia VP Vargas to resign, nominated successor is ex-police chief

Colombia's Vice President German Vargas Lleras gestures as he presented his office's annual report in Bogota, Colombia, March 14, 2017. REUTERS/Jaime Saldarriaga

BOGOTA (Reuters) - Colombian Vice President German Vargas Lleras has announced he will step down on Wednesday, fueling speculation that he will run in presidential elections next year.

President Juan Manuel Santos nominated former national police chief General Oscar Naranjo as Vargas' successor, stating he wanted Naranjo to strengthen security and the drive to stamp out coca cultivation.