Colombian local and regional elections a reflection on President Petro's Government
Colombians will cast their votes on Sunday in local and regional elections, a crucial event that analysts suggest will serve as a referendum on the government of President Gustavo Petro, a leftist leader, and potentially shape the outcome of the 2026 presidential race.
Sunday's election is expected to underscore the influence of local and regional political alliances and coalitions, rather than individual parties, as per expert opinions.
Ariel Avila, Senator from the Green Alliance, explained, "There's a combination of factors. The opposition and traditional political sectors have tried to sell the elections as a referendum on the president, and I believe that a lot of votes will be like that." He added, "There's going to be a big rap on the knuckles for (Petro's movement) Pacto Historico."
The majority of candidates in Sunday's elections have received endorsements from coalitions involving multiple political parties or have gathered signatures from citizens, allowing them to run as independent candidates.
Ariel Avila highlighted the ongoing power struggle: "There's a very big dispute between traditional elites and new political forces. Most of the historic bosses have returned to the regions. Without a doubt, what's at stake here is the 2026 presidential campaign."
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Nearly 39 million eligible Colombian voters will participate in Sunday's election.
Campaigning has been marked by security concerns due to illegal armed groups, despite President Petro's efforts to negotiate peace, and threats against candidates.
According to a recent report by the human rights ombudsman's office, over 36% of municipalities are facing extreme or high risks of violence during the elections, a significant increase from 23% during the regional elections in 2019.
