Human Rights Watch warned that security conditions and population protections in Colombia are deteriorating ahead of the first-round presidential election [1].

The warning comes as international observers express concern that rising violence and a decline in public order could destabilize the democratic process. If security fails to improve, territorial instability may hinder the ability of citizens to vote safely.

Juanita Goebertus, the director for the Americas at Human Rights Watch, said there is a "deterioro de las condiciones de seguridad y de protección de la población a nivel territorial" [1]. This deterioration of security and protection of the population at the territorial level suggests that rural and marginalized areas are facing increased risks [1].

These concerns are not isolated to one organization. Officials from the U.S. and the United Nations have echoed these alarms regarding the current state of Colombian security [2, 3]. A United Nations report published on April 15, 2026, previously flagged the escalation of violence in the lead-up to the elections [3].

The report highlights a perceived decline in public order that threatens the stability of the region [1, 2]. As the first-round presidential election approaches, the focus remains on whether the government can implement sufficient protections to prevent further violence [1, 3].

Human Rights Watch continues to monitor the situation to ensure that the electoral process remains free from intimidation. The organization said that the protection of the population is critical for a legitimate transition of power, especially in areas where state presence is limited [1].

“deterioro de las condiciones de seguridad y de protección de la población a nivel territorial”

The convergence of warnings from Human Rights Watch, the UN, and the U.S. suggests a systemic failure in territorial control. When security deteriorates specifically in the 'antesala' or prelude to an election, it often indicates that non-state armed groups may be attempting to influence voter turnout or candidate viability through coercion, potentially undermining the legitimacy of the upcoming presidential result.