Valencia, a protégé of Uribe, aims to make history as Colombia’s first female president
Paloma Valencia, a right-wing Colombian lawyer and senator, is vying to become her country’s first female president in the upcoming Sunday presidential contest. She has pledged to enhance security and rejuvenate the economy, which she claims have declined under the current leftist administration.
Valencia, 48, hailing from two prominent conservative families, receives support from former President Alvaro Uribe, known for his significant successes against leftist guerrilla groups in the 2000s. Uribe continues to wield influence despite facing an ongoing legal case in which he was initially found guilty of fraud and bribery, though those convictions were later overturned on appeal. Uribe has refuted any allegations of misconduct, describing the situation as a case of political persecution.
“Uribe is akin to a father figure in my life.” I never err when it pertains to loyalties. “I aim to replicate all the successful initiatives from President Uribe’s administration,” Valencia, who has recently fallen to third in the polls, stated at a recent campaign event. “I plan to emulate Uribe, who successfully steered Colombia back on course.”
Valencia stands out as a prominent contender in the first-round vote on May 31 to succeed President Gustavo Petro, who is ineligible for reelection. If no candidate secures over 50% of the vote, a runoff will take place in June.
One of the most prominent opposition leaders in Congress, she comes from Cauca province, a region profoundly affected by violence and a six-decade armed conflict that has claimed over 450,000 lives.
She has expressed criticism of the 2016 peace agreement with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) guerrillas, along with her disapproval of Petro, who has made unsuccessful attempts to negotiate with other illegal armed groups.
“There will be no discussions with the ELN, nor with the FARC, nor with the so-called Gaitanista Army while I am in charge.” “We will reactivate all arrest warrants and pursue them, hunting them down to bring them to prison,” Valencia stated at a recent event in Bogota, referring to other guerrilla and criminal groups.
Political heiress
Valencia’s paternal grandfather was the conservative former President Guillermo Leon Valencia, while her maternal grandfather established a prestigious university.
She possesses a master’s degree in creative writing from New York University and has experience as a newspaper columnist and radio commentator prior to her political career.
Her initial attempt at election occurred in 2006, when she was unsuccessful in securing a congressional seat. However, since 2014, she has served as a senator for Uribe’s Democratic Center party, advocating for legislation that supports sugar producers, formalizes small businesses, and reduces working hours.
She is married to the academic Tomas Rodriguez and has a young daughter.
