Girley Natacha Ordóñez Bowie was elected governor of San Andrés, Providencia, and Santa Catalina during atypical elections held March 30, 2026 [1].
The victory settles a leadership vacuum in the Colombian archipelago following the annulment of the previous governor's election [2]. This transition is critical for the region's stability and its relationship with the central government in Bogotá.
Ordóñez secured the position with 64.01% of the total vote [3]. Her closest competitor, Rómulo Areiza Taylor, finished in second place with 2,300 votes, representing 13.54% of the tally [4]. Bernardo Bent Williams followed in third place, receiving 1,500 votes or 8.83% [4].
While the percentage of support for Ordóñez was decisive, the overall participation in the election was low. Approximately 10,000 total votes were cast during the process [5]. This figure reflects a significant lack of engagement from the electorate, as the abstention rate reached 70% [5].
The atypical elections were called specifically to address the legal void created when the previous administration's electoral victory was overturned [2]. The process aimed to restore democratic governance to the islands of San Andrés, Providencia, and Santa Catalina.
Local officials and observers said that the high abstention rate remains a point of concern for the legitimacy of the administrative transition. However, the wide margin between Ordóñez and her opponents provides her with a clear mandate from those who participated in the vote [3].
“Girley Natacha Ordóñez Bowie was elected governor of San Andrés, Providencia, and Santa Catalina”
The election of Girley Natacha Ordóñez provides a legal resolution to a period of political instability in the archipelago. However, the 70% abstention rate suggests a profound disconnect between the local populace and the formal political process. While Ordóñez holds a strong numerical mandate among voters, her administration will likely face challenges in establishing broad public trust and legitimacy across the diverse population of the islands.
