More than 40 million Colombians [1] voted in the first round of presidential elections on April 12, 2026 [2].
The election occurs during a period of heightened instability, where the influence of armed groups and drug trafficking has shifted the national conversation toward urgent security needs.
Public safety became the central pillar of the campaign due to an increase in violence linked to narcotics and organized armed groups [3]. The volatility of the environment created significant risks for those seeking office, with threats targeting high-profile figures throughout the process.
Former President Álvaro Uribe, a leader of the opposition party, was among those targeted by threats during the Sunday vote [4]. These security concerns cast a shadow over the democratic process, highlighting the ongoing struggle between the state and illegal organizations.
Fabrício Neitzke said the escalation of violence tied to narcotics and armed groups made public security the primary theme of the electoral campaign [3]. The high turnout suggests a strong desire among the electorate to address these systemic issues through a new administration.
While the first round has concluded, the atmosphere remains tense across the national territory. The focus for candidates now shifts to the potential runoff, with the promise of restoring order remaining the most potent political tool in a divided country.
“More than 40 million Colombians voted in the first round of presidential elections.”
The prioritization of security over other policy platforms indicates that the Colombian electorate views the state's inability to control narcotics-linked violence as the country's most pressing crisis. The threats against candidates like Álvaro Uribe suggest that armed groups still possess the capacity to influence or intimidate the political process, potentially impacting the legitimacy of the final result.
