Republican U.S. Senator Bernie Moreno will participate as an observer in Colombia’s presidential elections on May 31, in a decision that has sparked immediate reactions due to the clear and ongoing differences the right-wing politician has maintained with the Petro administration.
His presence, far from being a mere protocol gesture, comes amid a climate of distrust over the guarantees of the electoral process and open tensions with the government of President Gustavo Petro, as well as evident ties between the Colombian-born U.S. senator and Colombia’s conservative opposition.
Moreno has been one of the most visible critics of the Petro administration in Washington and has publicly warned about potential risks in Colombia’s elections. His arrival as an international observer, rather than bringing calm to the situation, introduces an additional political element to a key day, in which the country will decide between continuity or a change in direction amid allegations of irregularities, security concerns, and deep polarization.
US Senator Bernie Moreno to serve as observer in Colombia’s presidential election
Despite being simply a U.S. politician, Bernie Moreno’s profile does not go unnoticed in the Colombian context. Born in Bogota and having emigrated to the United States in his youth, he built a business career before entering politics with the Republican Party.
His election as senator—backed by President Donald Trump—made him one of the most visible Latino voices within the party, with an agenda marked by conservative positions on economic and foreign policy issues that have repeatedly clashed with left-wing governments in several countries.
His ties to Colombia have been a recurring element in his public discourse. Moreno has stated on various occasions that he closely follows the country’s political developments and has expressed concern over what he considers an institutional deterioration under the current government. In that context, his decision to participate as an electoral observer has been presented by him as an act of commitment to Colombian democracy.
His complete alignment with Colombia’s conservative opposition, especially with the Democratic Center party, adds another element of tension. In this regard, it was this party that confirmed his presence in the country for the elections.
“Senator Bernie Moreno confirmed to us, in the meeting we held in his office in the United States Congress, that he will be in Colombia as an electoral observer during the last week of May, ahead of the first presidential round. His presence represents a key guarantee for an open, transparent process with international oversight,” said Jose Jaime Uscategui, a congressman from the party led by former president Alvaro Uribe, in a video posted on her X account alongside fellow Congresswoman Marelen Castillo of the Anti-Corruption Alliance party.
El senador Bernie Moreno (@berniemoreno) nos confirmó, en el encuentro que sostuvimos en su oficina en el Congreso de Estados Unidos, que estará en Colombia como observador electoral durante la última semana de mayo, de cara a la primera vuelta presidencial.
Su presencia… pic.twitter.com/J5aFl0OF1p
— Jose Jaime Uscátegui (@jjUscategui) April 23, 2026
Moreno’s frictions with the Petro Government
The relationship between Moreno and the government of Gustavo Petro has been marked by постоян crossfire of statements. The senator has openly questioned some policies of the Colombian executive branch, especially on security and foreign relations, though he also does not hide his differences on economic matters.
In public appearances and on social media, he has warned about what he describes as a weakening of the rule of law and has called for greater attention from the international community.
From within government circles, these criticisms have been interpreted as undue interference in internal affairs. Spokespeople close to Petro have pointed out that the participation of foreign political figures with clear ideological positions can affect the perception of impartiality in the electoral process. Moreno’s presence, in that sense, is viewed with suspicion by pro-government sectors.
In the weeks leading up to his trip, Moreno has issued statements insisting on the need to guarantee free and transparent elections in Colombia. He has mentioned concerns related to voter safety, possible pressure from armed groups in certain regions, and confidence in the institutions responsible for organizing the elections.
Finally, after personally confirming his presence in the South American country for the elections, he has denied that his presence will cause discomfort for the Petro government, assuring that he has always been treated well by it when visiting Colombia. Moreno also emphasized that “this is the most important election in Colombian history,” underscoring the need for the process to take place under conditions of security and transparency.
Colombia’s Role as a Traditional US Partner
Meanwhile, the U.S. government will be closely watching the development of the elections in Colombia, a democratic event that will determine the continuity of the current administration’s policies—under the candidacy of leftist Ivan Cepeda—or a return to right-wing formulas led by the two main candidates from that spectrum: Abelardo De la Espriella and Paloma Valencia.
Despite the evident interest of the White House in regaining what for decades was its strongest ally in the region—an alliance that the clear differences between the Petro and Trump administrations had been weakening—statements coming from the United States aim more to show concern about ensuring the security and transparency of the electoral process.
In this regard, Senator Moreno referred to threats received by some presidential candidates and recalled last year’s assassination of presidential hopeful Miguel Uribe Turbay as a warning of the dangers facing Colombia. “Something like what happened to Miguel Uribe Turbay cannot happen again. Colombia must leave political violence in the past,” he said.
Moreno also referred to the role of the South American country as a traditional ally of the White House. “It is extremely important that Colombia be the most important ally of the United States in the hemisphere,” he said, in a clear reference to his country’s interest in bringing Colombia into the Shield of the Americas, the hemispheric military alliance promoted by President Trump to combat drug trafficking and organized crime.
Finally, Bernie Moreno expressed optimism about the course of election day, emphasizing the role of citizens in the voting process. “I’m very optimistic. I believe the outcome is in the hands of the people of Colombia. They have to decide what future they want,” he concluded.