2014 Election Blog: Colombia's Presidential Candidates

Colombia holds presidential elections on May 25, 2014 as President Juan Manuel Santos of the Social Party of National Unity—better known as Party of the U—seeks reelection. Santos’ main contender is Oscar Iván Zuluaga of the right-leaning Democratic Center, a party created in 2012 by former President Álvaro Uribe. Clara López of the left-leaning Democratic Pole party is also running for president. According to a December Gallup poll, Santos is in the lead with 38.5 percent, followed by Zuluaga with 13.6 percent, and López with 5 percent. The survey also found that Santos would win a runoff with 47.5 percent (against Zuluaga with 23.9 percent and 25.7 percent blank votes).

One of the main goals behind Santos’ reelection bid is to continue Colombia’s peace talks with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) guerrilla group. Santos previously served as trade minister, finance minister, and defense minister before becoming president in 2010. Though he co-founded the Party of the U based on Uribe’s polices, and worked in Uribe’s administration as defense minister, after taking office, Santos had a falling out with the former president over security policies. In addition to the peace talks, Santos plans to continue social inclusion initiatives such as cash-transfer programs and building homes for the poor.

Meanwhile, Zuluaga—backed by Uribe—is opposed to the peace dialogue, and said he would suspend the talks and impose conditions on the FARC in order to continue negotiations, such as demanding an end to criminal activity and prohibiting political participation by guerrillas. A former senator and finance minister, Zuluaga also supports cutting government spending and reducing the number of congressional seats by 20 percent. Nevertheless, he promises social inclusion measures similar to those Santos has championed.