Event Summary
Although the parliamentary elections of 8 March 2026 took place in a relatively calm atmosphere across most of the country, a climate of risk persists ahead of the upcoming presidential election on 31 May 2026. National authorities and oversight bodies such as the Ombudsman’s Office have warned that the structural conditions conducive to political violence have not disappeared, particularly in areas where illegal armed groups are present.
In this context, the national government has announced the strengthening of security arrangements for presidential candidates, as well as additional measures for protection and territorial monitoring. These measures include the reinforcement of security arrangements, inter-agency coordination and the monitoring of early warnings to prevent potential attacks, threats or interference in the electoral process. Civil society organisations, particularly the Colombian Electoral Mission, have pointed out that, although the previous election day demonstrated progress in mitigating risks, it is necessary to maintain and strengthen preventive measures to ensure fair and safe conditions for the presidential election.
The prevalence of violence in Colombia is a long-standing pattern that has been widely reported. Incidents involving violence against social and political figures are part of the reality afflicting the country.