The president of the House of Representatives, Julián López, has joined Juan Fernando Cristo's presidential campaign for the 2026 elections, citing alignments on decentralization and regional strengthening. The announcement took place at an event in Cali, where Cristo highlighted his focus on security and infrastructure for Valle del Cauca.
At an event held this Friday at the Club de Ejecutivos in Cali, Julián López, a congressman from Valle del Cauca and current president of the House of Representatives, surprised attendees by announcing his support for Juan Fernando Cristo's presidential bid. López attributed his decision to political and programmatic alignment with the former minister, who embodies social-democratic and liberal values, with a focus on social causes, peace, and consensus-building.
"We consider Cristo a social-democratic and liberal man, but above all, one who has worked on the most important social causes in this country. He is a man of peace and consensus. I am proud, as a Colombian and as a Vallecaucano, to join this campaign," López stated.
Cristo outlined that his plan for Valle del Cauca revolves around two main axes: integral security and the development of strategic infrastructure, which he described as essential for the department's future. He explained that his party, En Marcha, chose not to join the Frente Amplio consultation, viewing it as having lost its inclusive nature after shifts in participating sectors.
The candidate stated that his electoral approach involves competing directly in the first presidential round, establishing himself as a progressive center-left option. "We decided to go to the first round. It's inevitable, let's say it frankly: the candidates representing the progressive center-left social-democratic spectrum in Colombia will compete in the first round. The story will be different in the second presidential round," Cristo remarked.
This endorsement from regional leaders like López is seen as crucial for bolstering Cristo's national campaign.
