Faced with an increasingly volatile and polarized political landscape in Colombia, perhaps it is time for a new technocratic outsider, like the one who competed head-to-head with Gustavo Petro for the presidency three years ago. As the country heads toward next year’s presidential elections, the deepening ideological divide between the left and the right has created an opportunity that could be seized by an independent figure capable of capturing the disenchantment of the political center. The truth is that there has never been a better time for an “engineer” — a pragmatic outsider — than now.
In 2022, Rodolfo Hernandez, popularly known as “the engineer,” made it to the runoff in Colombia’s presidential elections, where he competed against Gustavo Petro for the presidency. This businessman and local politician from Bucaramanga had appeared in very few forecasts as a political contender, yet he managed to surpass the traditional right- and center-wing candidates in votes with a simple anti-corruption message and a technocratic platform that earned him more than 10.5 million votes.
A fractured political landscape: The rise of the technocratic outsider
The administration of President Gustavo Petro, Colombia’s first leftist leader, has fundamentally reshaped the nation’s political conversation. His ambitious reform agenda, aimed at expanding social programs and reducing inequality, has energized his base but alienated large sectors of the political center and business community. Meanwhile, the traditional right — still reeling from internal divisions and the declining influence of Alvaro Uribe’s Democratic Center — has struggled to offer a unified or compelling alternative.
The result is a polarized country with a silent majority increasingly frustrated by what it perceives as endless ideological battles. In polls and public opinion surveys, Colombians consistently rank issues such as corruption, unemployment, security, and inflation above political identity. Many feel trapped between two extremes: A leftist government that promises transformation but often stumbles on execution, and a conservative opposition that offers resistance but little renewal.
It is in this vacuum that an independent candidacy — one grounded in technocratic competence and anti-establishment rhetoric — could thrive.
Colombia’s economy, while showing resilience compared to regional peers, continues to face structural challenges: Informality remains high, inflation pressures household budgets, and foreign investment has softened amid uncertainty about the government’s direction. Security concerns have resurfaced, particularly in rural regions where illegal armed groups have regained strength.
Meanwhile, Petro’s coalition has fractured, with several of his ministers departing amid political tensions and legislative defeats. The opposition remains fragmented, unable to rally behind a single figure capable of uniting urban moderates and rural conservatives.
According to a recent Invamer poll, over 70% of Colombians say the country is heading in the wrong direction, and more than half identify as politically “independent.” These numbers reveal a striking disillusionment with the political class — and a potential appetite for a nontraditional candidate who can promise results over rhetoric.
The legacy of Rodolfo Hernandez, “the engineer”
The 2022 presidential election provided a glimpse of this phenomenon. The late Rodolfo Hernandez, a then-77-year-old engineer and former mayor of Bucaramanga, shocked the political establishment by surging to the second round, defeating traditional parties, and nearly beating Gustavo Petro. His message was simple but powerful: Fight corruption, cut bureaucracy, and run the country like a well-managed business.
Although Hernandez ultimately lost, his campaign proved that a charismatic outsider could capture the national imagination. His direct, often blunt style resonated with millions of Colombians tired of political elites. His use of social media — especially TikTok — helped him connect with younger voters who felt unrepresented by traditional politicians.
Three years later, many of the conditions that fueled his rise have not only persisted but intensified.
Across Latin America, a new breed of political outsiders has been gaining traction. From Javier Milei in Argentina to Nayib Bukele in El Salvador, voters are increasingly drawn to candidates who present themselves as disruptors rather than politicians. In Colombia, that figure could once again be an ingeniero — not necessarily an identical copy of Hernandez, but someone with a similar profile: A professional or entrepreneur who embodies efficiency, discipline, and a results-oriented mindset.
Such a candidate could appeal to the growing number of Colombians who want social progress without ideological dogma, and reform without populism. The key would be to blend Hernandez’s anti-corruption message with a more coherent policy platform and a tone that reassures rather than alienates.
If 2022 demonstrated the power of social media to propel an outsider to prominence, 2026 will likely amplify it. Younger voters — many of whom are skeptical of both the left and the right — consume most of their political information online. A well-organized digital campaign with viral communication strategies could rapidly build momentum.
However, digital reach must be paired with grassroots credibility. Colombians remain wary of candidates who appear to lack substance behind their slogans. The next ingeniero will need to demonstrate not just indignation at corruption, but also practical solutions for governance — especially in areas such as infrastructure, education, and digital innovation.
The opportunity for a new center: The time is now
For Colombia, the 2026 elections could mark a decisive moment: Either the deepening of ideological polarization or the emergence of a pragmatic center. The success of an independent campaign will depend on whether it can channel widespread frustration into a constructive, forward-looking movement.
The idea of an ingeniero — a builder rather than a destroyer — resonates with Colombia’s desire for stability and progress. Such a figure could speak to the national mood: Tired of protests and paralysis, eager for someone who can “fix” the country rather than just debate it.
In 2022, Rodolfo Hernandez came within striking distance of the presidency by embodying a simple idea: That a competent outsider could do better than the political establishment. Though his campaign fell short, his near-victory revealed a profound truth about Colombia’s political psyche.
As the 2026 race approaches, that same frustration — fueled by economic uncertainty, political fatigue, and disillusionment — remains alive. The next election may not be decided by ideology but by authenticity, efficiency, and trust.
In that sense, Colombia may once again be ready for an ingeniero — someone who can rise above the noise, connect with the center, and rebuild faith in the possibility of pragmatic leadership.