Presidential candidate Iván Cepeda of the Pacto Histórico rallied supporters in Pitalito, Huila, on April 11, denouncing uribismo attempts to block the event and defending his anti-corruption proposals. Despite rain, the gathering took place at Parque José Hilario López amid chants of support. Cepeda also addressed prison parties and secured local endorsements.
Iván Cepeda, presidential candidate of the Pacto Histórico, led a gathering with supporters in Pitalito, Huila, on Saturday, April 11, under heavy rain. From Parque José Hilario López, he thanked attendees and accused uribismo of trying to block his arrival with road closures, as in Bucaramanga two days prior. "Nothing nor anyone will prevent us from sealing our victory at the polls on May 31," he exclaimed to thousands chanting "Se vive, se siente, Cepeda presidente".
Cepeda praised the area for its specialty coffee and community resistance to hydroelectric projects like Quimbo, highlighting their defense of water and the Colombian massif. He proposed advancing agrarian reform, subsidies for coffee growers, rural road repairs, cultural tourism, and panela production support, noting the local airport enabled by the current government.
His main banner was anti-corruption via a National Anti-Corruption Law to classify it as a serious crime, bar house arrest for major offenders, and incentivize informants. Vowing to pursue elite tax evasion, reform the royalties system to curb diversions, and enable citizen oversight of public spending, he called for a "citizen anti-corruption rebellion".
He addressed the Itagüí prison party, stating "corrupt politicians have held parties in prisons for years". Joined by figures like elected Lourdes Mateus and Alianza Verde's Senator Ariel Ávila, he gained local support from deputy Armando Acuña, though parties like Conservador and U ruled out backing him in the first round.
