Uncertainty or stability: the key decision that will define Colombia’s future direction

Colombia is just days away from an election that will structurally determine the country’s direction in terms of security, economy, institutions, and fundamental principles.

This is not an ordinary election: it is no longer just about choosing a political ideology, but about ensuring safety on the streets, stopping the recruitment of minors by armed groups, strengthening a collapsed healthcare system, and protecting the fundamental principles that sustain society.

According to United Nations data, the number of children recruited into armed groups in Colombia increased by 300% in the last five years, with an average in 2024 of one minor recruited every 20 hours.

It is also important to mention that, for the first time since 2013, Colombia was among the 10 countries most affected by terrorism, according to the Global Terrorism Index 2026.

Beyond this, Colombia has gone from being a country with a healthcare system considered a benchmark and model in Latin America to experiencing a total collapse. According to the British Medical Journal, responsibility for overcrowded emergency services, closed maternity wards and neonatal units, and the deaths of children and adults waiting for medication lies in the severe consequences of failed reforms by the Petro government, which only confirm the urgency of protecting healthcare systems from politics.

Given this panorama, it is imperative to state that the electoral debate requires a rigorous analysis that reveals what is truly at stake in the country.

Among the most prominent and unexpected figures who have emerged strongly is Abelardo de la Espriella, whose candidacy has drawn attention for its emphasis on restoring order and strengthening the State. His discourse, centered on security and authority, responds to a growing concern documented by organizations such as InSight Crime. This is added to Colombia’s decertification in September 2025 by countries fighting drug trafficking, and the sharp 53% increase in cocaine production in 2023 compared to the previous year, according to a survey by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

Far from abstract ideas, his proposals aim to directly intervene in the operational capacity of the State: unified command posts in the departments, prison system reforms, and strengthening of the public security forces. Measures that align with diagnoses from organizations such as the International Crisis Group, which have pointed to the need for more coordinated and effective institutional responses to crime.

This approach contrasts with the current government strategy led by Gustavo Petro, which has taken different approaches to security.

One event that has sparked criticism was the unexpected revocation of 23 arrest warrants against leaders of organized crime in the Aburrá Valley, just two months before the presidential elections. This decision, according to Medellín mayor Federico Gutiérrez, responds more to an excessive electoral strategy than to a real achievement of peace.

In the economic sphere, De la Espriella’s proposal aligns with a vision that prioritizes private-sector-driven growth. International evidence, including analyses from the World Bank, has repeatedly stated that investment, formal employment, and productivity are key factors for sustained poverty reduction.

One point that candidate Abelardo de la Espriella has made clear is his commitment to prioritizing the family as the core of society and defending the freedom to believe and practice faith in his eventual government.

Born in Bogotá and raised in Montería, Abelardo de la Espriella has positioned himself as one of the most relevant figures in the Colombian political landscape, with a conservative approach that seeks to strengthen security and the foundational values of society.

But beyond names and proposals, the core issue is something else.

Colombia faces a decision that does not allow for superficial analysis. Political polarization may move emotions, but it does not necessarily solve structural problems. The election requires evaluating who has the real capacity to implement, correct, and sustain public policies over time.

From Poder Colombia USA, the call is not for automatic alignment, but for rigorous analysis.

Evaluate trajectories. Compare proposals. Demand clarity.

And, on that basis, make a decision.

Because, ultimately, Colombia’s future will not depend on the most forceful speech, but on the most informed decision.

With nearly 33% of voters, the United States is the country with the largest number of Colombians eligible to vote abroad, according to Colombia’s National Registry.

According to the National Registry of Colombia, there is a historic record of 1,002,478 Colombians eligible to vote abroad, of whom 336,046 reside in the United States. Among the cities with the highest voting turnout worldwide in 2022, Miami (20,591), Orlando (10,222), and New York (5,908) ranked first, fourth, and fifth, respectively, in number of voters.

However, according to data from Colombia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, cited by media outlets such as Infobae, in the first round of the 2022 presidential election only 24% of the potential overseas electorate exercised their right to vote.

For Colombians living abroad, voting is not only a way to defend family, values, security, and democracy. It also influences the direction the country will take in terms of international cooperation with the United States. Every political decision can affect bilateral agreements that directly impact the economy, education, security, and the rights of those of us living outside Colombia.

Every vote counts and reflects the priorities, concerns, and principles of Colombians living in the United States. Participating in elections is an act of commitment to the country and to future generations, ensuring that our voice continues to influence Colombia’s direction and its international relations.