The proposal to appoint former President Alvaro Uribe as a potential Minister of Defense sparked a public rift within the presidential ticket of Senator Paloma Valencia’s candidacy with running mate Juan Daniel Oviedo, which is backed by the Democratic Center and other right-wing parties.
Candidate Valencia put forward the idea as a signal of authority and continuity in security matters, aligned with the policies of the now-former president’s administrations (2002–2010). Still, her vice-presidential running mate, Juan Daniel Oviedo, openly challenged it, creating distance that exposed possible internal tensions in the middle of the campaign.
Valencia’s response was swift and as direct as the disagreement: “I am the president.” With that phrase, the senator made it clear that, if she wins the election, key government decisions will be made according to her judgment, even in relation to her own running mate.
Far from remaining a minor difference, the episode has sparked a debate about leadership, political cohesion, and the weight of uribismo in a potential administration, and highlights the differences between the Democratic Center representative and the former center-right candidate, Oviedo, now the vice-presidential running mate for this ticket.
Colombian elections: Valencia and Oviedo publicly disagree over Uribe
Paloma Valencia’s announcement about her possible cabinet generated debate, even within her own ranks, by including the name of former President Alvaro Uribe as a potential Minister of Defense. Asked by the press, Juan Daniel Oviedo, who is running for vice president on Valencia’s ticket, publicly expressed his disagreement with the announcement.
Oviedo’s stance drew a forceful response from Valencia, who stated that “I am the president. I will be the one appointing ministers. And the country should get used to that.” The conservative candidate added that “we will have uribista ministers and we will have centrist ministers. And we will have ministers who are competent, because what we need here is to solve Colombians’ problems.”
This situation has revealed the challenges of building an alliance between Colombia’s traditional right—represented by Paloma Valencia—and a center-right that, at one point, was embodied for many citizens by Juan Daniel Oviedo.
In an effort to distance herself from the other right-wing candidate, independent lawyer Abelardo De la Espriella — who has expressed clear positions and statements aligned with an extremist discourse — Valencia sought through her alliance with Oviedo a much more centrist profile, which has not always been easy to reconcile.
Juan Daniel Oviedo’s remarks during an interview with the local outlet Blu Radio left no doubt about his position. Asked about the possible appointment of Alvaro Uribe as head of the Defense Ministry, the politician was clear: “I don’t think it’s the right message, and I told her that last night, but she must be respected; that’s why we know we are different, and I’m not going to change her,” he said.
At the same time, the vice-presidential candidate stressed that “we have to understand one thing: we are in a political campaign. There are strategies and messages that are delivered from a strategic standpoint.”
En un país tiene que caber todo el mundo, aquí no aceptamos vetos para nadie. El que sea bueno como el expresidente Uribe en materia de seguridad ojalá se anime a ser ministro. Y ojalá también haya muchos ministros de centro y que venga gente de la izquierda con compromiso… pic.twitter.com/rKmxGTcrvy
— Paloma Valencia L (@PalomaValenciaL) April 29, 2026
A proposal that reopens the debate over Uribismo
The idea that Alvaro Uribe could return to power, this time as Minister of Defense, carries not only symbolic weight but also political significance. Despite finishing his two terms with an approval rating above 75%, his figure is now far more controversial in Colombia and generates as much admiration as rejection.
For Valencia, the decision represents a bet on strengthening security at a time when the country faces challenges in public order and the presence of armed groups. Her proposal resonates with a segment of the electorate that continues to view the former president as a figure of authority in the face of violence.
However, the proposal also raises questions about the concentration of power and the role a former president should play in a subsequent administration. For critical sectors, the potential appointment of Uribe to that position could be interpreted as a direct extension of his influence, which could generate resistance both from the opposition and from independent sectors.
Nevertheless, candidate Valencia was emphatic and quickly shut down any internal questioning about her potential government. With the phrase “I am the president,” she was not only responding to Oviedo but also seeking to reaffirm her authority as the head of the ticket. At its core, the message aims to make clear who would have the final say if her candidacy wins the election.
Beyond the tone, the response also revealed a classic tension in presidential tickets: The balance between the autonomy of the main candidate and the role of the vice president as a figure with an independent voice.
What is clear is that this episode comes at a key moment in the presidential race, when candidates are seeking to consolidate support and project cohesion, and especially when polls point to a technical tie between the two right-wing candidacies aiming to compete with the ruling party in the June runoff.