New Direction: Valencia Promises Stronger Security and Economic Growth

Paloma Valencia, a 48‑year‑old candidate from the Democratic Center party, announced that she would abandon Colombia’s current “total peace” policy if elected president. She said a new era of security would start under her leadership, and she plans to reactivate arrest warrants against armed groups. Her strategy also includes expanding police and military forces by 60, 000 men and women, and restoring the use of non‑glyphosate herbicides to spray coca crops—a measure that was banned in 2015 because of health concerns. Valencia’s platform rejects ongoing negotiations with groups such as the FARC dissidents, the National Liberation Army (ELN), and criminal gangs like the Gulf Clan. She believes that a tougher stance is necessary to end a conflict that has killed more than 450, 000 people over six decades. While President Gustavo Petro’s administration has sought dialogue to bring peace, the last few months of his term have seen little progress.On economic matters, Valencia calls for increased production in oil, gas, mining, and rare earth extraction. She supports fracking but insists it will be banned in sensitive regions such as the Amazon and high‑altitude paramo ecosystems. She estimates that a 5% growth in these sectors could bring an extra 30 trillion pesos, roughly $7. 9 billion, to the national budget for social programs. The candidate also proposes reducing income taxes and eliminating wealth and financial transaction taxes. She backs the U. S. -led “Americas Shield” security initiative, which aims to strengthen regional cooperation against crime and terrorism. Valencia’s campaign has highlighted her goal of electing the first female president, a milestone she believes will resonate especially with women voters. The presidential race is crowded, featuring leftist Ivan Cepeda and independent businessman Abelardo De La Espriella among others. Polls indicate a tight contest for second place, which will determine who faces Cepeda in a potential runoff election on May 31. More than 41 million Colombians are eligible to vote in this decisive election.