Former Justice Minister Wilson Ruiz Orejuela announced his Senate candidacy with the Salvación Nacional party and his support for presidential precandidate Abelardo De la Espriella. Ruiz, who has criticized Colombia's institutional crisis, stresses the need to unite the right to defend democracy and institutions. His decision stems from a diagnosis of eroding trust in the state under the current government.
Wilson Ruiz Orejuela, former Justice Minister and ex-magistrate, has decided to enter legislative politics by joining the Salvación Nacional party list for the Senate of the Republic. This move, announced recently, also involves his endorsement of Abelardo De la Espriella's presidential precandidacy, backed by the party. In an interview with Graffiti, Ruiz explained that his choice of Salvación Nacional is because it represents 'a serious, democratic platform coherent with my commitment to justice'.
Ruiz starts from a severe diagnosis of Colombia's situation: 'Colombia is going through an institutional crisis that admits no neutralities'. As a direct witness from the justice sector, he has seen how under the current government 'trust in institutions has been weakened, meritocracy has been despised, and a dangerous narrative has been installed that seeks to justify improvisation and disorder'. He decided 'to step forward to assume a responsibility with the country and defend the values that are being threatened today'.
In his opinion column, Ruiz expands on these concerns, arguing that Colombia needs 'to believe again in its institutions, recover trust in justice, and defend meritocracy'. He criticizes state improvisation, which affects citizens, and the contamination of public debate by emotions rather than serious analysis. Regarding the Peace Agreement, he insists that its legislative implementation should not be a 'dogma' where technical criticism is forbidden; it must be 'verifiable, evaluated with rigor' and guarantee protections for victims.
On the fragmentation of the right, Ruiz acknowledges 'too many egos, too many precandidacies, and very little sense of urgency'. He warns that 'divided, there is no way to win' against figures like Iván Cepeda, and calls for a solid bloc to defend democracy. His commitment includes legislating independently, supporting initiatives that strengthen the country and opposing those that weaken it, preserving the separation of powers.
Justice, according to Ruiz, is saturated due to lack of resources, technology, and personnel, not the accusatory model. Strengthening it requires real investment in budget, training, and infrastructure, not just speeches. Ruiz reaffirms his path of 'sensibleness' to move the country away from noise and regain democratic balance.
