In the March 8, 2026 legislative elections, Colombia selected its presidential candidates through three interparty consultations. Paloma Valencia dominated the Gran Consulta por Colombia with over 3 million votes, while Claudia López and Roy Barreras prevailed in their respective coalitions with lower figures.
On March 8, 2026, Colombia held legislative elections to renew Congress and, alongside, three popular consultations to select presidential candidates for the first round on May 31. With 97.86% of polling stations tallied, the center-right Gran Consulta por Colombia drew the highest turnout with 5,677,657 votes (82.83% of total consultations). Senator Paloma Valencia of the Centro Democrático secured 3,174,609 votes (45.70%), ahead of Juan Daniel Oviedo with 1,237,215 (17.81%). Valencia thanked supporters and pledged 'total security,' criticizing 'total peace' as capitulation to criminals. 'I thank God for allowing me to be here today and the Colombians who, with their vote, chose my name to represent them,' she said on X. Other precandidates like David Luna and Vicky Dávila offered their support.
In the Solutions Consultation, focused on health, security, and education, former Bogotá mayor Claudia López won with 566,342 votes (8.12%), against Leonardo Huerta (43,185, 0.62%). López hailed the victory as 'two Davids against 14 Goliaths' and stated her solutions-focused proposal would challenge uribismo in the first round. The consultation totaled 601,464 votes (8.77%).
The progressive Frente por la Vida consultation recorded 575,370 votes (8.39%), with Roy Barreras leading at 251,677 (3.62%) over Daniel Quintero (223,283, 3.21%). Barreras faulted President Gustavo Petro for discouraging participation: 'A strategic error. President Petro, I warned you, abandoning the polls was leaving the field open to the right.' Quintero congratulated Barreras and vowed to support him.
These winners join figures like Iván Cepeda (Pacto Histórico) and Abelardo de la Espriella in the presidential race, highlighting political polarization with center-right, center, and progressive options. Analysts note the Gran Consulta's dominance, but the lower figures for López and Barreras indicate challenges ahead.
