Most Colombian presidential candidates have failed to report their campaign income and expenditures to the National Electoral Council (CNE) [2].

This lack of transparency obscures how political campaigns are funded and whether candidates are adhering to legal spending limits. With the first round of voting approaching, the absence of data prevents public oversight of potential conflicts of interest or illegal financing.

Reports indicate that only five of 13 presidential campaigns have submitted the required financial data through the Cuentas Claras portal [2]. Other data suggests that nine of 14 campaigns have yet to report their figures [2]. Some reports go further, stating that no candidates have provided the necessary figures [1].

Among the candidates who have provided information, a majority of the eight reporting aspirants said they obtained bank loans to fund their activities [1]. This reliance on credit highlights the financial pressure facing candidates as they compete for the presidency.

Critics have described the administrative paralysis and the lack of available data as a failure of the system. Juan Lozano said, "No tener registro de gastos e ingresos de las campañas presidenciales es una vergüenza" [4].

The Cuentas Claras portal is the official mechanism for ensuring transparency in Colombian elections. However, the current gap in reporting suggests a breakdown in the enforcement of financial disclosures, leaving voters without critical information about who is funding the candidates.

“"No tener registro de gastos e ingresos de las campañas presidenciales es una vergüenza"”

The failure of the CNE to ensure timely financial reporting undermines the democratic principle of transparency. When the majority of candidates bypass reporting requirements, it creates a systemic risk where illicit funds could enter the electoral process without detection, potentially compromising the integrity of the upcoming presidential results.