Former congressman Jaime Felipe Lozada has stirred controversy in Huila's uribismo by pre-registering as a candidate for the House of Representatives through Centro Democrático, moving away from the Conservative Party. He states his aim is to humbly contribute to the party's reorganization in Huila. He remains aligned with conservative principles but sees Centro Democrático as the best fit for his ideals.
Jaime Felipe Lozada, a former congressman from Huila, announced his pre-registration for the House of Representatives through Centro Democrático, sparking uproar among the party's precandidates and militants in Huila. In an interview with LA NACIÓN, Lozada explained that he respects the alarms raised, but his purpose is to "coadyuvar, con humildad, en la reconstrucción y reorganización del partido en el departamento".
Though traditionally tied to the Conservative Party, Lozada clarified that he remains conservative in "principios e ideología", but chose Centro Democrático because "es sin duda el partido que mejor recoge los postulados conservadores" and has mounted a "valerosa, seria y argumentada" opposition. He highlighted that the party represents the sense of abandonment toward the region by the Petro Government and defends pillars like security, order, and authority.
On elections, Lozada advocated for closed lists, citing Álvaro Uribe's decision to close the Senate list after 2022. He argued that the country's political conditions demand a solid organization to motivate votes for greater security, respect for institutions, defense of liberty, recovery of order, and a frontal fight against corruption.
In the national landscape, Lozada will support the Centro Democrático candidate chosen in the late-month survey and called for a grand right-wing coalition to avoid four more years of leftism, which he deemed "catastrófico". He criticized Iván Cepeda as "metódico, estudioso y capaz", making him "aún más peligroso". He praised Abelardo De la Espriella for defending values like liberty and justice without impunity, while viewing Sergio Fajardo as "decente pero plano".
The 2022 elections taught him lessons in humility and avoiding weak lists. His relations with figures like Senator Esperanza Andrade and Magistrate Álvaro Hernán Prada are cordial and respectful.