Murillo Drops Out, Backs Cepeda for Colombia’s Presidency

Written on 05/06/2026
Josep Freixes
Luis G. Murillo withdrew his presidential candidacy to throw his support behind the ruling party’s candidate, Cepeda, in the Colombian elections. Credit: @PizarroMariaJo / X.com.

Luis Gilberto Murillo on Wednesday formally announced his withdrawal from the presidential race and declared his endorsement of ruling-party candidate Ivan Cepeda. The decision, communicated in the final stretch ahead of the first round—scheduled for May 31—cements a new move toward convergence within the left-wing bloc.

It is the second withdrawal in just a few weeks within that political sector. Veteran Senator Clara Lopez had already taken a similar step by exiting the race to back Cepeda, in an effort to unify forces and avoid the fragmentation of the progressive vote in an increasingly competitive electoral landscape.

According to sources close to Ivan Cepeda’s campaign, mediation by former minister and Liberal politician Juan Fernando Cristo helped facilitate this last-minute withdrawal.

Despite his withdrawal, the short timeframe—less than four weeks—before the election means that his name will still appear on the ballot for next Sunday, May 31, although any votes cast for him will not be counted.

Murillo drops out, backs Cepeda for Colombia’s presidency

Murillo’s exit from the presidential race not only represents a personal shift in his political ambitions, but also a strategic adjustment within the ruling camp. The former minister, who had championed an agenda focused on territorial equity, the energy transition, and institutional strengthening, chose to prioritize building a candidacy with stronger prospects at the ballot box.

In his announcement, he made clear that his decision responds to the need to consolidate a political project capable of confronting opposition sectors and ensuring the continuity of the reforms promoted by the government. His support for Cepeda aims to add political capital and broaden the candidate’s electoral base, particularly in regions where Murillo has had influence.

“For the regions, today we take a responsible step. We are joining a great Alliance for Life and endorsing Iván Cepeda’s candidacy to defend democracy, strengthen institutions, and bring real opportunities to territories that have historically been neglected,” the former candidate explained.

The endorsement also sends a message of cohesion within the ruling coalition, which in recent weeks has emphasized the importance of presenting a strong candidacy in a fragmented landscape. Cepeda’s campaign, which has focused its message on defending the peace agreement, social justice, and the fight against inequality, thus receives a significant boost.

The Clara Lopez precedent

Beyond the candidacy of former liberal minister in the Petro administration, Juan Fernando Cristo, who never formally launched his bid and joined Cepeda, today’s move by Luis Gilberto Murillo represents the second major withdrawal within the center-left, ultimately to join the ruling party’s candidacy in Colombia.

In this sense, Murillo’s withdrawal comes shortly after the decision taken by Clara Lopez, who also abandoned her presidential bid to join Cepeda’s candidacy. At the time, López argued that the fragmentation of the progressive vote could weaken the left’s chances against candidates from other political sectors.

Both moves reflect a growing trend within the political spectrum close to the government: the search for alliances that would allow for the consolidation of a more competitive electoral bloc. In a context in which the dispersion of candidacies has been a constant in previous elections, the strategy aims to avoid a repeat of that scenario.

The alignment of endorsements is not minor. Both Murillo and Lopez have held high-level positions in the state and have trajectories that allow them to influence different segments of the electorate. Their support reinforces the narrative of unity that Cepeda’s campaign is trying to project.

Murillo’s withdrawal reshapes the political landscape at a key moment in the campaign. His exit reduces the number of candidacies within the center-left spectrum and could facilitate the concentration of the vote around Cepeda, although the real effect will depend on the candidate’s ability to capitalize on these endorsements.

Analysts agree that the consolidation of alliances will be decisive in the weeks leading up to the election. In a scenario marked by polarization and competition among multiple contenders, the accumulation of support can tip the balance in favor of those who manage to build a broader coalition.

The decision also raises questions about the behavior of Murillo’s electorate, even though polls gave him scant support of just 1%. However, the importance of this withdrawal is not so much numerical as it is about the message it sends to liberal sectors that do not want to follow their party and support right-wing candidacies.

In this sense, support from the political center could give Ivan Cepeda the extra boost he needs to consolidate a potential second-round victory which, although most polls suggest it, is not guaranteed at this point.

Clara Lopez, Colombian senator.
Murillo’s resignation follows those of Senator Clara López and former Minister Cristo, in a move that underscores the left’s unity while signaling a shift toward the political center-left. Credit: Josep Maria Freixes / Colombia One.

Murillo, Petro’s man in Washington

Luis Gilberto Murillo, 59, has built a political career shaped by his origins in Colombia’s Pacific region and his persistent defense of historically marginalized communities. Born in the department of Choco, one of the country’s most neglected regions, Murillo grew up in a context of structural poverty that shaped his view of the need for a more equitable state with a stronger presence in the territories.

An engineer by training, Luis Gilberto Murillo began his public career with a technical focus, which allowed him to hold positions related to environmental management and sustainable development. His tenure as Minister of Environment consolidated his profile as an official with expertise in public policy, especially on environmental protection and climate change.

Murillo also served as governor of Choco, where he faced enormous challenges in terms of corruption, infrastructure, and security. During his administration, he promoted projects aimed at improving basic living conditions, although his tenure was marked by the department’s structural difficulties.

OOn the international stage, he served as Colombia’s ambassador to the United States and later as foreign minister, positions from which he played a key role in the Petro administration’s complex relations with that country, particularly following Donald Trump’s return to the White House in January 2025.

In recent years, his name has gained visibility in national politics as a figure seeking to represent alternatives from independent and progressive sectors. His discourse has revolved around inclusion, social justice, and the need to close historical gaps in Colombia.