Paloma Valencia se reúne con Iván Duque mientras el Centro Democrático enfrenta tensiones por su candidatura

Paloma Valencia met with former President Iván Duque in Bogotá, as the Centro Democrático defines its political strategy for the upcoming 2026 presidential elections.

The meeting took place after the party confirmed Valencia as its official candidate, a decision that has sparked discussions and reactions within the party.

This information was reported by Semana, which provided details about the meeting and the surrounding political context.

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The rapprochement between Valencia and Duque occurred after the former president publicly expressed his support for the senator, highlighting the importance of strengthening opposition cohesion.

In a message on social media platform X, Duque addressed the political situation and proposed mechanisms that, in his view, might enable agreements between various opposition sectors against the current government.

In his statement, he said: “With this significant step, we must insist on seeking opposition unity through viable mechanisms such as polls and popular consultations in March. What’s at stake is the country, its institutions, and the freedoms of all.”

The meeting in Bogotá was seen as a political endorsement in a context where the Centro Democrático aims to solidify its internal discourse following the consultation that designated Valencia as the candidate.

This process involved the participation of other party figures, including Senator María Fernanda Cabal and fellow candidate Paola Holguín. After the results were revealed, Cabal expressed concerns regarding the employed methodology, although she reiterated her intention to support the collective decision.

The concerns raised by Cabal became a major topic of discussion within the party. The senator publicly stated that she does not agree with the internal polling mechanisms and requested the technical details of the process be disclosed.

In statements collected by Semana, she remarked: “I won’t be sold any more Chilean packages. I don’t like the poll method, but I accepted it to help the party overcome an obstacle. I won’t do it again in my life.”

In light of this situation, former President Álvaro Uribe spoke on the matter in radio statements, after several days of silence. Uribe avoided delving into the controversy but emphasized the importance of transparency and information sharing related to the internal consultation.

In that context, he affirmed: “I believe my duty is simply to ask the Centro Democrático party to publish, as they are doing, all the minutes. There has never been any cheating here.”

Uribe also recalled previous episodes during which the party encountered similar debates regarding presidential candidate selections. Without making personal evaluations, he noted that his political journey has been marked by internal and external discussions, and reiterated his willingness to support the party’s institutional processes. He added: “My political life has faced much controversy, but no one can say that I have cheated during this long political journey.”

The internal tension persists, despite Cabal’s reiterated support for Valencia’s candidacy. The senator emphasized the need for a thorough understanding of the audit process and the methodology used, as transparency is vital for gaining the trust of party members and supporters.

In a statement cited by Semana, she stated: “Out of respect for Colombians who have supported us, and for the transparency that democracy requires, it is necessary to make the audit public.”

Meanwhile, Paloma Valencia continues to engage in political meetings and connect with various sectors. Her meeting with Iván Duque falls within an agenda aimed at consolidating support both within and outside the party, as the Centro Democrático seeks to establish itself against other opposition movements.

The former president, for his part, has reiterated his call to avoid divisions and to focus on building broad agreements.