New Direction: Valencia Promises Stronger Security and Economic Growth

Paloma Valencia, a 48‑year‑old candidate from the Democratic Center party, has declared that she will abandon Colombia’s current “total peace” policy if elected president. Her platform promises a new era of security and decisive action against armed groups.

Security Over Negotiation

• Abandonment of “Total Peace”: Valencia vows to end the existing peace policy and re‑activate arrest warrants against all armed factions.
• Expansion of Forces: She plans to increase police and military personnel by 60,000 men and women.
• Coca‑Crop Eradication: The use of non‑glyphosate herbicides will be restored to target coca crops, a measure banned in 2015 for health concerns.

Valencia rejects ongoing negotiations with the FARC dissidents, the National Liberation Army (ELN), and criminal gangs such as the Gulf Clan. She argues that a tougher stance is essential to end a conflict that has claimed over 450,000 lives in six decades.

Economic Agenda

• Resource Development: Calls for increased production in oil, gas, mining, and rare earth extraction.
• Fracking Policy: Supports fracking but bans it in sensitive regions like the Amazon and high‑altitude paramo ecosystems.
• Projected Growth: A 5% sector growth could add an extra 30 trillion pesos (~$7.9 billion) to the national budget for social programs.
• Tax Reform: Proposes reducing income taxes and eliminating wealth and financial transaction taxes.

Regional Security

• Americas Shield: Backing the U.S.-led initiative to strengthen regional cooperation against crime and terrorism.

Electoral Context

• First Female President: Valencia’s campaign emphasizes her ambition to become Colombia’s first female president, aiming to resonate strongly with women voters.
• Opponents: The race features leftist Ivan Cepeda and independent businessman Abelardo De La Espriella, among others.
• Runoff Potential: Polls suggest a tight contest for second place, which will determine the opponent of Cepeda in a possible runoff on May 31.
• Voter Base: Over 41 million Colombians are eligible to vote in this decisive election.