Juan Daniel Oviedo, the vice-presidential running mate of Colombian presidential candidate Paloma Valencia, said a potential administration led by the conservative Centro Democratico (Democratic Center) senator would not reverse LGBTQ+ rights or other minority protections, arguing that Colombia’s 1991 Constitution and the country’s legal framework make such rollbacks both politically and institutionally difficult.
In an interview with ColombiaOne, Oviedo addressed concerns from progressive voters who see him as a symbol of modernization and diversity, while viewing Centro Democrático as a traditionally conservative party on civil liberties.
“You represent for many Colombians a more modern and diverse vision of the country, while Centro Democratico is the opposite — more conservative, especially on rights and individual freedoms,” ColombiaOne said during the conversation, before asking Oviedo what concrete guarantees he could offer that minority rights — including those of the LGBTQ+ community — would not be threatened in a Valencia-Oviedo government.
Oviedo responded by describing what he called a polarized political narrative that has branded the party as “anti-rights,” while ignoring the legal and constitutional constraints that govern policymaking in Colombia.
“We are victims of our own invention,” Oviedo said, referencing the ideological tensions surrounding gender and identity politics. He argued that political opponents have painted the Democratic Center as inherently hostile to individual freedoms, even though, in his view, Colombia’s democracy operates under clear constitutional boundaries.
Oviedo pointed to the campaign’s “Plan 10,” a public document outlining five core transformations and five implementation actions, which he said includes explicit principles related to integrity and respect for freedoms.
“We clearly believe we are in a liberal democracy, in the strict and theoretical sense of the word,” Oviedo said, emphasizing that any future administration would be obligated to comply with Colombia’s Constitution and existing law.
The Constitution of 1991 must be respected
One of Oviedo’s central arguments was that reversing rights gained through Constitutional Court rulings and legal reforms would require an extensive and politically costly process, including constitutional amendments or a referendum.
“The only way there could be a rollback of the rights we have obtained — above all thanks to decisions of the Constitutional Court and legal rulings — is to propose a referendum, a constitutional reform, and a law,” Oviedo said.
In Colombia, key advances for LGBTQ+ rights — such as same-sex marriage recognition and adoption rights — have largely been secured through the Constitutional Court rather than legislative majorities, making them deeply embedded in the country’s jurisprudence.
Oviedo insisted that the Valencia-Oviedo coalition is not proposing any referendum or constitutional reform aimed at restricting rights for same-sex couples, including adoption.
“What we have made clear to Colombia since day one … is that this is a bet for a country that, in its current moment, needs to cling to the Constitution of 1991, develop it, and respect what has been advanced within its framework,” Oviedo said.
Paloma Valencia’s public commitment
Oviedo also cited a public statement from Paloma Valencia, noting that she has addressed the issue directly on social media. According to Oviedo, Valencia posted on March 15 that there would be no rollback of minority rights under their leadership.
“Paloma has been clear … that there will be no rollback,” Oviedo said, adding that his presence on the ticket is intended to reinforce that message and broaden the coalition’s appeal.
He framed his candidacy not only as symbolic but also as strategic — an attempt to bridge ideological divides and demonstrate that conservative politics does not necessarily translate into restricting civil liberties.
Oviedo argued that the campaign’s broader focus is on closing inequality gaps affecting multiple vulnerable groups, not exclusively the LGBTQ+ population.
“We want to close those gaps that separate us not only from the LGBTQ+ community, but also from people with disabilities, Black communities, Indigenous communities, people in informal work, women, and victims of the country,” he said.
Internal disagreements: ‘These are our scars’
ColombiaOne pressed Oviedo further, asking whether he has faced conflicts within the Democratic Center or disagreements with Valencia regarding civil liberties and minority rights.
Oviedo acknowledged the existence of differences but framed them as part of a broader reconciliation process within Colombian politics.
“Paloma is not going to change. Oviedo is not going to change his principles,” he said. “What we want is to tell the country and the world: these are our scars.”
Oviedo openly referenced the political divide that defined Colombia’s 2016 peace referendum with the FARC guerrillas, where Valencia was a prominent activist for the “No” vote, while Oviedo supported the “Yes” side.
“She was an activist for the No, I was for the Yes,” he said, describing their contrasting political histories as a source of tension but also as proof that Colombia’s political culture can evolve beyond permanent confrontation.
Oviedo added that Valencia had expressed concern about LGBTQ+ issues in her own way, while he views the defense of his rights as a constitutional obligation.
“She worried about LGBTQ+ members; I considered it my right — protected by the Constitution not only for me but for everyone — and I will ensure it continues to be established,” Oviedo said.
Rather than framing those differences as irreconcilable, Oviedo said the campaign is built on the idea that political opponents can coexist and govern together without erasing their past.
“What we said is: there are those scars. Instead of rubbing them in each other’s faces and hating each other for them, let’s put them together into one purpose,” he said. “So we can add among those who are different, and Colombia can be greater.”
A political gamble ahead of 2026
Oviedo’s remarks come as Colombia begins to see early political movements ahead of the 2026 presidential race, where issues such as security, economic stagnation, institutional trust, and polarization are expected to dominate the agenda.
His message appears aimed at moderate voters who may be skeptical of Centro Democratico’s record but interested in a coalition that signals inclusion without abandoning conservative positions on security and governance.
For now, Oviedo is attempting to reframe the debate: Not as a clash between progress and conservatism, but as a test of whether Colombians can build alliances across ideological divides without sacrificing constitutional guarantees.
And in a country where identity politics often triggers political extremes, Oviedo’s pledge is clear: Under his watch, minority rights will not be negotiable.