Iván Cepeda wins Colombia’s left-wing nomination for 2026 presidential race: Video
Colombian senator Iván Cepeda has officially secured the Historic Pact’s presidential nomination for the country’s 2026 elections, following a sweeping victory in the coalition’s internal vote.
Speaking after the results were confirmed, he thanked supporters for what he described as a powerful show of democratic trust.
“I want to thank more than two million people, probably 300,000 citizens, who put their trust in me and gave me this mandate as the new candidate of the Historic Pact for the next stage of this process,” Cepeda said during a press conference in Bogotá on Sunday, October 26.
Looking ahead to the campaign, Cepeda vowed to raise the level of political debate, rejecting the personal attacks that have long characterised Colombian politics. “I will not go to debates to exchange insults with other pre-candidates, nor to threaten or disparage one another,” he declared. “I challenge them to talk about ideas, proposals, and concepts for the country.”
He also urged opponents to maintain respect toward President Gustavo Petro, describing him as “deserving of all the respect in Colombia and in the world for the work he has done as head of state.” Cepeda’s victory consolidates his position as the left’s leading figure ahead of the May 2026 presidential election, where he is expected to campaign on Petro’s progressive legacy while seeking to broaden his appeal beyond the Historic Pact’s traditional base.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
