María Claudia Tarazona announced Monday she will support Paloma Valencia, the Centro Democrático presidential candidate, in the upcoming 2026 elections [1].
The endorsement signals a strategic move within the Colombian right wing to consolidate support against left-leaning candidates ahead of the national vote.
Tarazona made the announcement during a broadcast on Noticias Caracol, and said that her decision aligns with the desires of her late husband, former senator Miguel Uribe Turbay. "Esa fue la voluntad de Miguel, eso quería Miguel," Tarazona said [1].
Beyond honoring her husband's wishes, Tarazona framed her support for Valencia as a necessity for national security. She identified Valencia as the only candidate capable of defeating Iván Cepeda in a potential second-round runoff [2]. Tarazona said a potential Cepeda presidency is a threat to the security of her children and the country.
"Tenemos que evitar, a toda costa, que Cepeda sea el próximo presidente," Tarazona said [3].
The 2026 election cycle is increasingly defined by sharp ideological divides. Tarazona's public call for voters to avoid Cepeda highlights the high stakes perceived by the Centro Democrático base regarding the second-round runoff. She said that Valencia is "la única que puede ganarle a Cepeda en segunda vuelta" [2].
This public alignment follows a pattern of high-profile endorsements within Colombia's political landscape, where familial legacies often influence party loyalty, and candidate selection. Tarazona's statement on May 11 [1] adds a personal dimension to the campaign for Valencia, linking the candidacy to the legacy of Uribe Turbay.
“"Esa fue la voluntad de Miguel, eso quería Miguel"”
The endorsement by María Claudia Tarazona leverages the political legacy of Miguel Uribe Turbay to bolster Paloma Valencia's legitimacy. By framing the 2026 election as a binary struggle between Valencia and Iván Cepeda, Tarazona is attempting to mobilize conservative voters through a lens of security and familial duty, potentially consolidating the Centro Democrático base before the first round of voting.
