President Trump steps up military threats to Mexico, Cuba, Colombia
After detaining Venezuela’s president, President Trump suggested other countries in the region could take military action next.
Colombia is once again moving towards a presidential election that will paradoxically feature two people who will not be directly competing on the ballot. Former President Álvaro Uribe and current President Gustavo Petro continue to project their influence into the political committee as two deep currents carrying alliances, speeches, and strategies.
The recent parliamentary elections left a clear picture of the country’s political moment. The bloc surrounding Petrism and Ulibism continues to organize much of the country’s political life. This scenario introduces new protagonists, such as Iván Cepeda and Paloma Valencia, but the debate continues to revolve around two visions of the country that have been in conflict for years.
Why do Petro and Uribe continue to shape Colombian politics?
Colombian politics has been shaped by the influence of Álvaro Uribe for more than two decades. His rise to power in the early 2000s redefined debates about security, the economy, and the relationship between institutions, and his political streak continues to maintain a strong electoral base after leaving office.
With the inauguration of Gustavo Petro as president, that historical balance changed. His victory symbolized the strengthening of the left, which had remained on the fringes of national power for decades. Today, the political movement supporting it maintains a significant presence in parliament and remains a central reference in public debate.
This clash of visions – security and institutional order versus socio-economic reform – explains why both leaders continue to dominate the political conversation. For many analysts, the election reflects less a partisan contest than a contrast between two political projects that have defined the country’s recent history.
Iván Cepeda and Paloma Valencia: heirs of two political projects
In the progressive camp, Sen. Iván Cepeda emerges as one of the figures who embodies the continuity of the political project that brought Petro to power. With a history associated with human rights advocacy and historical memory, his profile is linked to a sector that supports the changes promoted by the current government.
Mr. Cepeda’s strategy appears aimed at strengthening voters who support social reform, justice for victims of armed conflict, and expanding the state’s presence in historically forgotten regions. But the challenge will be expanding that support among moderate voters.
On the other side, Paloma Valencia emerges as a central figure of modern Ulibism. His leadership is trying to combine the former president’s political traditions with a platform that appeals to voters who want economic stability and security but also political innovation.
What will be at stake in Colombia’s next election?
As the campaign progresses, candidates will seek to position themselves above the dominant figures in politics. But the symbolic weight of Petro and Uribe will continue to be present in speeches, alliances, and debates.
For Colombia, and for the millions of Colombians living abroad, including many in the United States, this election marks another step in defining the country’s political direction.
The question that is beginning to engulf national debate is not just who will win the presidency, but whether Colombia will continue to operate in the shadow of the two leaders that have defined its recent history, or whether it will begin to open up space for new political trends.
Contributed by: Reuters
Boris Q’va is a national Spanish language trends news reporter for Connect/USA TODAY Network. You can follow him on X as @ByBorisQva or write to him at BBalsindesUrquiola@gannett.com.
