Colombia’s presidential campaign of Ivan Cepeda and Aida Quilcue—his vice presidential running mate—will kick off in the department of Cauca with an indigenous ritual that will set the political and symbolic tone of their bid for 2026.
The ruling party ticket from the Historic Pact opted for an event far from traditional formats, betting on an ancestral ceremony in indigenous territory as the starting point of its electoral journey.
The event will take place in one of the areas of influence of the Nasa people and will include the participation of traditional authorities, local communities, and the indigenous guard.
More than a conventional launch, it will be an act of spiritual harmonization through which the campaign seeks to legitimize its project from the territory and its cultural roots.
Colombia’s indigenous ritual to kick off Ivan Cepeda’s presidential campaign
The start of Ivan Cepeda and Aida Quilcue’s campaign will be marked by an indigenous ritual in the Nasa reservation of the municipality of Paez, in the department of Cauca, in the south of the country.
The parents of the current senator will lead a spiritual ceremony whose purpose is to “ask permission” from Mother Nature before embarking on the electoral journey, thus reflecting the relevance of ancestral traditions in national politics, according to the local magazine Semana.
The choice of Cauca is not only a symbolic gesture, but a political decision with multiple readings. It is a region historically hit by the armed conflict, but also recognized for its strong organizational fabric and its leadership in social and indigenous processes.
For Aida Quilcue, this territory represents her life trajectory and struggle. Her leadership within the indigenous movement, especially in the Regional Indigenous Council of Cauca (CRIC), has been linked to the defense of the territory, collective rights, and the autonomy of native peoples. Starting the campaign there reinforces her political identity and her connection with grassroots bases.
In that context, the indigenous ritual takes on additional value. It is not only a cultural act, but a way of reaffirming the link between the candidacy and communities that have historically been marginalized from national political power.
A ritual to eliminate conflicts
The planned ceremony includes traditional practices of the Nasa people, such as prayers, spiritual cleansings, and acts of harmonization. These rituals are usually carried out at key moments to seek guidance, protection, and balance, both for individuals and for collective processes.
For approximately one hour, the community seeks to “harmonize body and spirit” of the candidates, request balance and wisdom to face the electoral process, and enable the start of the campaign with the full backing of local authorities.
The ritual, which seeks to harmonize human activity with nature, represents an indispensable stage for those who assume special missions within the community, as explained by a member of the indigenous collective to the cited Colombian outlet.
“Spiritual leaders, authorities, and the community as a whole ask permission from Mother Earth so that someone chosen by the community for a special mission may have health, wisdom, commitment, and responsibility in the task entrusted,” said this person, who is part of the campaign team.
Within the indigenous worldview, this type of act is not accessory, but central. It represents a way of understanding the world in which the spiritual and the political are not separate. Therefore, its inclusion at the start of the campaign seeks to convey an idea of government connected to nature, territory, and communities.
The presence of the indigenous guard also reinforces that message. This community body, recognized for its role in protecting the territory without weapons, symbolizes autonomy and collective organization. Its participation in the event underscores the support of indigenous sectors for the presidential ticket, as already occurred in 2022 with the candidacy of Gustavo Petro and Francia Marquez.
The ultimate purpose of the event that will inaugurate the Cepeda-Quilcue campaign is “to eliminate conflicts and seek clarity among those who make up the campaign team before the electoral launch” this Friday, March 20.
A political bet with identity
Ivan Cepeda’s candidacy with Aida Quilcué introduces a component that seeks to differentiate itself in the electoral contest. The inclusion of an indigenous leader in the vice presidential ticket not only broadens representation, but also redefines the campaign’s political discourse.
Cepeda has insisted that his alliance with Quilcue responds to a vision of the country that recognizes the role of indigenous peoples in building democracy. The campaign aims to embrace principles such as the defense of territory, social justice, and community participation.
This approach also seeks to consolidate support in regions where social movements have a strong presence. The strategy combines the symbolic with the territorial, in an attempt to build a narrative distinct from other candidacies.
Beyond the initial event, the campaign will seek to maintain that connection with communities, integrating their demands into the political program and the public agenda.
The start in Cauca comes at a time when different campaigns are beginning to position themselves ahead of the May 31 elections. In that scenario, the Cepeda-Quilcue ticket is betting on a message that combines social advocacy and cultural recognition.
The idea of “leading by obeying,” present in several indigenous movements, appears as one of the references of this vision. It is a concept that frames the exercise of power as a responsibility toward communities, rather than an imposition from elites.
Following this event that marks the beginning of the campaign, Cepeda and Quilcue will travel to Bogota with their electoral entourage, where on Saturday, March 21, they are scheduled to hold a political event in Soacha.