As voters prepare to vote in one of Colombia’s most consequential presidential elections in recent history, three figures have emerged at the center of the political debate: Paloma Valencia, Ivan Cepeda, and Abelardo de la Espriella.
The race has become a referendum on security, economic policy, peace negotiations, and the future of the political legacy of outgoing President Gustavo Petro. With voters divided between continuity and change, the three candidates represent sharply different visions for Colombia’s future.
Colombia presidential elections: Ivan Cepeda, the left-wing human rights advocate
At 63, Ivan Cepeda enters the presidential race as the candidate most closely associated with Petro’s governing coalition. A longtime senator, philosopher, and human rights activist, Cepeda has spent decades advocating for victims of Colombia’s armed conflict and investigating state-linked abuses.
His political life has been deeply shaped by personal tragedy. His father, communist senator Manuel Cepeda Vargas, was assassinated by paramilitary forces in 1994, forcing the family into exile. Since returning to Colombia, Cepeda has become one of the country’s most recognizable voices on peace, transitional justice, and victims’ rights.
As the candidate of the left-wing Historic Pact coalition, Cepeda promises to deepen social and economic reforms launched under Petro. His platform includes expanded social investment, progressive tax reforms, environmental protections, rural development, and continued efforts to negotiate with armed groups as part of the government’s “Total Peace” strategy.
Supporters view him as an experienced statesman focused on reconciliation and social justice. Critics, however, argue that his policies represent a continuation of an administration that has struggled to contain rising insecurity in several regions of the country.
Recent polling has consistently placed Cepeda in first place ahead of the first round of voting.
Paloma Valencia: Uribe’s political heir
Conservative senator Paloma Valencia, 50, has long been considered one of the most influential figures within the Democratic Center party founded by former president Alvaro Uribe. A lawyer, economist, philosopher, and writer, Valencia has served in the Colombian Senate since 2014. She is also the granddaughter of former Colombian president Guillermo Leon Valencia.
Valencia’s campaign focuses heavily on security, economic growth, and institutional stability. She has argued that Colombia needs a stronger response to armed groups, drug trafficking networks, and organized crime, positioning herself as a defender of law-and-order policies traditionally associated with Uribe.
Her candidacy is historic in its own right. If elected, she would become Colombia’s first female president. Reuters describes her as one of the leading conservative voices challenging the country’s leftward political shift.
During the campaign, Valencia attempted to broaden her appeal beyond the traditional conservative base by selecting former statistics chief Juan Daniel Oviedo as her running mate. The move was designed to attract moderate and independent voters, though it also generated friction among some right-wing supporters.
Despite entering the race as a major contender, recent surveys suggest she faces growing competition from Abelardo De la Espriella for leadership of Colombia’s conservative electorate.
Abelardo De la Espriella: the outsider challenger
Perhaps the most unconventional figure in the race is Abelardo De la Espriella, a high-profile criminal lawyer, businessman, and media personality who has never held elected office. At 47, he has transformed himself from celebrity attorney into one of Colombia’s most talked-about presidential candidates.
Known by supporters as “El Tigre,” De la Espriella built his public profile by representing controversial clients and cultivating a flamboyant public image. His campaign presents him as an outsider willing to challenge both the political establishment and the traditional party system.
His platform centers on security and crime reduction. He has proposed building mega-prisons, expanding military operations against criminal organizations, rejecting negotiations with armed groups, and implementing tougher sentencing policies. His rhetoric has frequently drawn comparisons to the hardline security approaches seen elsewhere in Latin America.
De la Espriella has also embraced nationalist themes and positioned himself as a staunch opponent of Petro’s policies. His rapid rise in polling has made him one of the most significant surprises of the election cycle.
A contest between continuity and change
The 2026 election has evolved into a battle among three distinct political projects. Cepeda offers continuity and deeper social reforms, Valencia promotes institutional conservatism and traditional right-wing governance, while De la Espriella presents himself as a disruptive outsider promising a forceful security agenda.
With concerns about violence, economic uncertainty, and political polarization dominating public debate, the outcome will likely shape Colombia’s domestic and international direction for years to come. Whether voters choose continuity through Cepeda, conservative leadership through Valencia, or the outsider appeal of De la Espriella, the election marks a defining moment in modern Colombian politics.