Colombia’s 2026 Elections: Miguel Uribe Tops Presidential Race Polls

Written on 07/08/2025
Natalia Falah

New poll places Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay at the top of the list for the presidential race in Colombia’s 2026 elections. Credit: Colombian Senate

In the lead-up to Colombia’s 2026 presidential elections, a new poll has placed Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay at the top of the list of potential candidates signaling a potential shift in the country’s political landscape. Carried out by Guaramo (a leading company specializing in services such as polling, market research and digital analysis) and EcoAnalitica (a Colombian consulting firm specialized in data collection and analysis), the poll for the presidential race is released precisely one month since the assassination attempt on the Democratic Center senator. 

The poll shows Uribe leading in voter preference, ahead of several other prominent political figures from across the ideological spectrum. The survey, which polled 2,122 people and has a margin error of 2.2%, shows Uribe Turbay leading with 13.7%, followed by journalist Vicky Davila with 11.5% and Gustavo Bolivar with 10.5%, who is a candidate belonging to Gustavo Petro’s “Pacto Historico” (Historic Pact) coalition. 

Other results from the presidential elections poll

Those polling above 5% also include former Antioquia governor Sergio Fajardo (8.7%), former Medellin mayor Daniel Quintero (8.1%) and former Bogota mayor Claudia Lopez (5.3%).

Rounding out the top 10 are pro-Petro senator Maria Jose Pizarro (3.2%), former senator and head of the New Liberalism Party Juan Manuel Galan (3%), former vice president and Radical Change leader German Vargas Lleras (2.9%), and current Green Alliance Senator Jota Pe Hernandez (2.5%). 

One notable finding from the new poll is that 5.3% of respondents said they would not vote for any of the more than 20 candidates listed in the survey, while 3.5% remain undecided. 

The Guaramo-EcoAnalitica poll also examined voter preferences within key ideological blocs, providing insight into who might emerge as leading contenders in internal party coalition primaries. 

Democratic Center (Right-Wing Bloc)

Among potential candidates from the right-wing Democratic Center Party, Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay dominates with a commanding 74.4% support. He is followed by senators: Maria Fernanda Cabal (11.4%), Paloma Valencia (6.9%), Andres Guerra (2.8%) and Paola Holguin (2.5%). Only 2% of respondents said they wouldn’t support any of the listed names. 

Historic Pact and Allies (Left-Wing Bloc)

In a hypothetical left-wing primary, Gustavo Bolivar, former senator and ex-director of “Prosperidad Social,” leads with 29.2%. He is followed by former Medellin mayor Daniel Quintero (20%) and Senator Maria Jose Pizarro (16.7%).

Centrist Bloc:

Among centrist figures, former Antioquia governor Sergio Fajardo takes the lead with 33.9% reaffirming his enduring popularity in moderate sectors. Trailing behind him: former Bogota mayor Claudia Lopez (18.6%), Green Party senator Jota Pe Hernandez (14.2%). 

Center-Right Bloc

In the center-right space, journalist Vicky Davila emerges as a surprising frontrunner with 51.9% support. She is followed by former Vice President German Vargas Lleras (20.1%) and lawyer and political commentor Abelardo De la Espriella (9.1%).

This breakdown reflects early trends and potential matchups as Colombia’s political forces begin to organize internal consultations ahead of the 2026 presidential elections. While official candidacies have yet to be confirmed, these figures offer a glimpse into how the electorate is positioning itself across the ideological spectrum. For now, the poll underscores Miguel Uribe’s growing influence and sets the stage for what promises to be a high-stakes presidential contest in Colombia. 

Colombia awaits Miguel Uribe Turbay’s swift recovery

presidential elections in Colombia
Many Colombians are hoping for the swift recovery of Miguel Uribe Turbay, whom they see as a strong candidate with potential to lead the country in 2026. Credit: Josep Freixes / Colombia One

As Miguel Uribe Turbay recovers from an attack that left him in a serious and delicate health condition, a large portion of Colombians are hoping for his swift recovery so he can continue to lead the country. At least, that’s what the results of this latest poll suggest. 

Uribe has steadily built a national profile over the past several years. His lead in this poll reflects growing support among conservative and centrist voters, as well as increasing recognition beyond his traditional urban base. His rise comes at a time when Colombians are expressing frustration with the current administration and widespread concerns about insecurity, economic stagnation, and institutional trust. 

According to the survey, Uribe captured the highest share of voter intention among those surveyed, outperforming left-wing candidates who dominated the political narrative following Gustavo Petro’s 2022 election. 

Uribe’s prominence in the poll is also seen as a reaction to the controversial tenure of President Petro, whose administration has been marred by policy gridlock, criticism over handling of security issues, and rising polarization. Uribe, who has frequently positioned himself as a vocal opponent of Petro’s reforms in Congress, is likely to capitalize on this momentum by presenting himself as a stable, pragmatic alternative capable of restoring confidence in the country’s institutions. 

As the political climate continues to evolve, Uribe’s challenge will be to maintain his lead while broadening his appeal, particularly among younger voters and regions that remain skeptical of traditional political elites. 

Related: Colombia’s Petro Says 2026 Elections Transparency Under Threat.