The uncertainty in the awnings of Uribism has come to an end. The Democratic Center party has officially announced that Senator Paloma Valencia Laserna will be its sole candidate to run for the Presidency of the Republic.

The decision, which comes after carrying out the internal process with surveys, consolidates Valencia as the most important figure within the community founded by former president Álvaro Uribe Vélez.

“I assume this responsibility with the love I have for my country and with the commitment to defend the freedom and order that Colombians demand,” Valencia declared after learning the results.

A profile of “Purabred” and academy

The election of Paloma Valencia is not a surprise for political analysts, who see her as the natural heir to the party’s strongest theses, but with her own intellectual profile.

Born in Popayán in 1978, Valencia has politics in her DNA. She is the granddaughter of the former president of the Republic Guillermo León Valencia and the founder of the Universidad de los Andes, Mario Laserna Pinzón. This heritage has given it a particular mix: the fiery oratory of the public square and academic rigor.

His training is extensive:

Lawyer and Philosopher from the University of the Andes.

Master’s degree in Creative Writing from New York University (NYU).

Doctorate in Law (in progress/completed as appropriate).

Legislative Career
In Congress, where he arrived in 2014, Valencia has stood out for being one of the most combative voices of the opposition and, at the time, of the government. Known for her discipline and vehemence in debates, she has earned the nickname “The Lioness” among her followers, due to the ferocity with which she defends her positions.

Its legislative banners have focused on:

Justice Reform: Seeking mechanisms to reduce impunity and reform high courts.

Support for entrepreneurship: Author of laws that seek to facilitate business creation and reduce the tax burden on MSMEs.

Democratic Security: An unrestricted defense of the Public Force and the authority of the State in the territories.

The challenge: Unite the right

Valencia’s candidacy sends a clear message: the Democratic Center is committed to a figure with a defined ideological identity. Unlike past elections where more technocratic or center profiles were sought, Valencia represents the “heart” of the party.

His immediate challenge will be to summon other sectors of the right and center-right to form a robust coalition that can confront the alternative and left-wing sectors in a campaign that is expected to be highly polarized.

For now, Uribismo is closing ranks around a woman who has promised to return security and investor confidence to the country.