Politics Ledger · Latin America
Colombia
Electoral democracyPresidential republicUnitary
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In charge
Abelardo de la Espriella
President
Time in power
0.2 yrs
since 2026
Government seats
27%
minority
Next national vote
2030-03
Legislative
Governance score
52/100
composite of five indices
Colombia has one of Latin America's longest records of civilian elections, yet also its longest internal armed conflict. Politics has shifted from a Liberal-Conservative duopoly to security-focused Uribism, a peace process, the first left government, and a sharp turn back to the right.
Leadership
Who Governs Colombia
Head of state
Holds executive powerAbelardo de la Espriella
President · Independent (right-wing coalition)
Since 7 August 2026 · 0.2 years
Age 48 (born 1978)ManRoute to power: won a popular election
Ruling coalition
Right-wing coalition anchored by the Democratic Centre and Conservatives, with case-by-case support from traditional parties
Main opposition
Pacto Histórico (left)
Last national election
21 June 2026
Presidential runoff
De la Espriella, a hardline outsider, defeated the left's Iván Cepeda, ending Petro's left-wing government.
Next national election
By March 2030
Legislative
Vice President José Manuel Restrepo. Term runs to 7 August 2030.
Recent changes (last 12 months)
Parliament
Chamber of Representatives
Seat distribution (Elected 8 March 2026), ordered from economic left to right.
| Party | Ideology | Seats | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Others (regional, ethnic, peace-accord and independent seats) (OTH) | Various | 43 | opposition |
| Historic Pact (PH) | Progressivism, Left-wing populism | 38 | opposition |
| Democratic Centre (CD) | Uribism, Conservatism | 30 | coalition |
| Liberal Party (PLC) | Liberalism, Catch-all | 27 | confidence |
| Conservative Party (PCC) | Conservatism | 19 | coalition |
| Party of the U (La U) | Centre-right | 12 | confidence |
| Radical Change (CR) | Centre-right | 10 | confidence |
| Green Alliance (AV) | Green politics | 4 | opposition |
Ideology
Party Landscape
Each party placed on economic and social axes, sized by seats.
Institutions
The System
- Official name
- Republic of Colombia
- Capital
- Bogotá
- Population
- 53 million
- Statehood
- Independence 1810-19; current Constitution 1991
- System
- Presidential republic
- Structure
- Unitary
- Current constitution
- 1991
- Legislature
- Congress of the Republic
- Lower / sole chamber
- Chamber of Representatives (183 seats)
- Upper chamber
- Senate (108)
- Electoral system
- Two-round presidential vote; list PR by department for the Chamber, national constituency for the Senate.
- Term limits
- President: a single four-year term (re-election abolished in 2015).
Sources
- Registraduría Nacional
- Cámara de Representantes
- EIU Democracy Index 2024; Freedom House, Freedom in the World 2025; RSF World Press Freedom Index 2025; Transparency International CPI 2024; IPU Parline, 2026; V-Dem v15 Liberal Democracy Index (approximate five-year readings)
Last verified 2026-10-29. Party placements are editorial estimates.
Data as of 2026-10-29.