Democratic Center candidate Paloma Valencia unveiled a security strategy anchored by a “Plan Colombia 2.0” and a revival of previous educational programs during a recent debate with candidates from the center-right consultation.
Participating in the “Debate of the People,” an alliance between local media outlets RCN, City TV, and EL TIEMPO, Valencia addressed issues ranging from the economy to public order. The candidate also proposed a justice reform that integrates technology and artificial intelligence to enhance response capabilities against crime.
Valencia outlined a specific strategy to dismantle criminal gangs by seeking indictments based on the chain of command. She promised to combat drug trafficking with force through a “Plan Colombia 2.0” and to pursue drug assets through asset forfeiture.
Plan Colombia was a bilateral diplomatic and military initiative launched in 1999 by Colombian President Andres Pastrana and then-U.S. President Bill Clinton, primarily aimed at ending Colombia’s armed conflict and combating drug trafficking.
The multibillion-dollar agreement provided the Colombian government with significant U.S. funding, military equipment such as Black Hawk helicopters, and training to strengthen its armed forces against left-wing guerrilla groups such as FARC and right-wing paramilitaries.
Paloma Valencia says she’s against impunity
The candidate emphasized her stance against impunity, recalling her vote against the Havana peace agreement that ended the conflict between the Colombian State and the FARC guerrilla. “In our government, criminals and the corrupt go to jail,” Valencia said in the debate. She proposed the implementation of “productive prisons” and stated that her administration would stand with working citizens rather than violent players.
On the topic of international security cooperation, Valencia differentiated between direct intervention and administrative assistance. She stated she does not support a United States military incursion into Colombia for anti-narcotic efforts, preferring binational cooperation instead.
However, she expressed agreement with the idea of the United States transitorily administering Venezuela while elections are convened in that country. Valencia, one of the leading presidential candidates in Colombia, also agrees with resuming aerial bombardments alongside “serious anti-recruitment” programs.
Valencia says she will prioritize education during her presidency
Valencia also pledged to bring back extinguished scholarship initiatives. The presidential hopeful stated that programs “Ser Pilo Paga” and “Generación E” would return under her government. She defended private education and the role of ICETEX as a vehicle for students without resources to choose their university, while calling for an “educational revolution” to update curricula with robotics and artificial intelligence.
Regarding economic and energy proposals, Valencia suggested making Colombia an energy power through renewable sources such as solar and hydroelectric energy. However, she also addressed the need for gas sufficiency. Valencia did not rule out “offshore fracking” to ensure low costs and proposed subsidizing propane gas cylinders for more than 2 million Colombians to help them transition to a “decent service.”
Valencia also joined proposals to lower taxes and reduce the size of the state to address the fiscal crisis and debt growth. She proposed a pension model where Colombians could contribute from birth, with savings eventually returnable via pension or housing options.
When asked about future alliances if she does not reach the second round, Valencia was categorical. Valencia made it clear she would support outsider Abelardo de La Espriella, stating she would ally with “anyone who is not Petro’s” candidate and named former President Alvaro Uribe as her head adviser.