Iván Cepeda, the presidential candidate for the Pacto Histórico coalition, is conducting a series of campaign rallies across Colombia before the May 2026 election [2].

Cepeda's current lead in the polls suggests a potential shift in the country's executive leadership if he can maintain his momentum through the final voting stages.

The 63-year-old candidate has focused on regional outreach, including visits to the Caribbean region and Barranquilla [3, 5]. In Barranquilla, Cepeda planned to close his campaign alongside Aida Quilcue, a strategy designed to mirror the previous approach used by Gustavo Petro in the Caribbean [5]. This regional focus is part of a broader battle for votes against rivals such as Abelardo de la Espriella [2].

Recent data indicates Cepeda is the front-runner in the race. According to an Invamer poll, he leads the presidential intention with 44.3% of voter support [4]. This lead has been bolstered by high-profile endorsements, including support confirmed by Luis Murillo earlier this month [3].

During a rally at the Plaza de Nariño in Pasto, Cepeda connected his current bid to his political origins. "Aquí comencé mi camino para llegar a la Presidencia, y hoy vengo de nuevo," Cepeda said [1].

The campaign schedule has remained dense through May, with reported activities on May 6 and May 20 [3, 6]. These events are critical as the candidate seeks to solidify his base in diverse departments across the country, from the southern highlands of Pasto to the northern coast [1, 5].

Cepeda said his intention is to continue the path toward the presidency as the May 2026 deadline approaches [1]. His strategy relies on combining grassroots mobilization in the Caribbean with the institutional support of the Pacto Histórico coalition [2, 5].

“"Aquí comencé mi camino para llegar a la Presidencia, y hoy vengo de nuevo"”

Cepeda's strategy of replicating Gustavo Petro's Caribbean campaign model indicates an attempt to consolidate the leftist vote while expanding into traditionally contested regional strongholds. His significant lead in the Invamer poll positions him as the primary candidate to beat, making the Caribbean region a decisive battleground for the 2026 election.