Preelection: Presidential elections in Colombia
This report analyzes Colombia’s political landscape ahead of the 2026 presidential elections, highlighting a competition primarily divided among three candidates. The incumbent Iván Cepeda currently leads the polls with a continuity agenda, followed by the radical right-wing leader Abelardo de la Espriella and the moderate right-wing Paloma Valencia. Given that no candidate is expected to secure enough support to win in the first round, a decisive runoff on June 21 is anticipated. The document also warns about a fragmented Congress that will require the future president to build alliances with traditional parties in order to ensure governability. Finally, the report examines Gustavo Petro’s economic and social legacy, placing Colombia’s election within a regional trend of polarization and the rise of new right-wing movements.