The senator, long aligned with party founder Álvaro Uribe Vélez’s anti-guerrilla hardline, is still seen as a more moderate figure within the right-wing spectrum. This positioning could help him attract support beyond the party base or build a coalition to fight the left.
— Paloma Valencia may have a better chance of attracting broad sectors, and she is not considered so extremist — said political consultant Andres Mejía. — Plus, your years of experience translate into a high level of awareness, which is a difficult but crucial advantage in any campaign.
This choice will end a chaotic year for the party founded by Uribe. One potential presidential candidate, Sen. Miguel Uribe Turbay, died in August after being shot at a political event. His father, Miguel Uribe Londoño, then attempted to run for office, but was excluded from the party’s selection process due to internal disagreements.
Valencia’s nomination is likely to highlight existing divisions within Colombia’s right that have given Petro’s coalition an early lead in the race despite the current president’s waning popularity as his single term draws to a close.
In October, the left-wing Historic Pact coalition chose Senator Iván Cepeda, who tops the polls with around 32% support, according to an Invamer poll released in December. Valencia, on the other hand, obtained only 1.1%, far behind the controversial lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella, with 18%, and the centrist candidate Sergio Fajardo, with 8.5%.
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