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1 1 (May 19, 2026)

handle is hein.crs/goveujh0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Congressional ____ ~ Research Service Colombia's 2026 Presidential Election Updated May 19, 2026 On May 31, Colombia, a top U.S. security partner in Latin America, is scheduled to convene an election to replace President Gustavo Petro (2022-present), who is constitutionally barred from seeking reelection. U.S. officials and some Members of Congress have expressed concerns about the Petro government's counterdrug and security policies. The 119th Congress has reduced foreign assistance to Colombia and placed additional conditions on that assistance. Some Members of Congress also have expressed concerns about political violence in Colombia since the June 2025 assassination of a presidential hopeful and threats against other candidates. The three main candidates are Ivan Cepeda of Petro's leftist Historic Pact (PH) and two conservative rivals-Paloma Valencia of the Democratic Center (CD) and independent Abelardo De la Espriella. Members of Congress may examine these candidates' platforms and assess their possible implications for relations with the United States. If no candidate captures more than 50% of the vote, a runoff election is scheduled for June 21; the winner is to take office on August 7. Domestic Context and Campaign The legacy of outgoing President Petro, a polarizing figure whose popularity has risen since November, has influenced the elections. Supporters have praised Petro's focus on reducing inequality through labor reform and historic minimum wage increases despite his government's corruption scandals. The Petro administration's deemphasis of coca eradication has coincided with record cocaine production. Also, the government's total peace negotiations involving ceasefires with illegally armed groups may have bolstered the power of such groups and fueled violence. Increased violence could inhibit voting in some regions as armed groups seek to influence the election results. The results of Colombia's March 8 legislative elections illustrated a left-right division among voters regarding how best to address violence, corruption, and economic issues but also the continued relevance of traditional parties, including the Liberal and Conservative parties. PH captured the most Senate (25 of 103) and House of Representatives (43 of 183) seats, while CD garnered the second-largest number in both chambers (17 and 28, respectively). Four parties that aligned with the PH early in Petro's term despite ideological differences-but later broke with PH-together won 69 House seats and 38 Senate seats. The next president likely will need to form cross-party alliances. Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov IN12689 CRS INSIGHT Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress