Candidates in Colombia’s Gran Consulta Exercise Their Right to Vote
Bogotá, Colombia – Two candidates vying for the presidential nomination within the Gran Consulta coalition cast their ballots Sunday, March 8, 2026, expressing optimism about a potential shift in Colombian politics. The Gran Consulta is a coalition of center-right candidates seeking to present a unified front in the upcoming presidential election.
Mauricio Cárdenas, one of nine candidates participating in the Gran Consulta primary, voted with his family at the Liceo Francés in northern Bogotá. “For the first time in my life, I am casting a vote for myself,” Cárdenas said upon leaving the polling station. “I have always voted for others, for democracy, but the time has come. Everything that is for Colombia is worth it, that is what moves us the most, what motivates us the most.”
Shortly after, Cárdenas encountered fellow Gran Consulta candidate David Luna, and the two exchanged words of support. Luna then traveled to the Colegio Japón in the Kennedy district of southwestern Bogotá to vote. He shared a message on social media, stating, “Thank you to all who have believed in unity, who believe that different politics can be done in Colombia, and thank you to those who believe they can vote for me.”
The Gran Consulta aims to challenge the current political landscape and offer an alternative to what its members describe as divisive extremes. The coalition includes candidates from various political backgrounds, including Vicky Dávila, Juan Manuel Galán, Aníbal Gaviria, and Juan Daniel Oviedo, among others. The group plans to hold a primary election in March to select a single candidate to compete in the presidential election. This move underscores the coalition’s commitment to consolidating support and presenting a strong challenge to the ruling party’s candidate, Iván Cepeda.
The formation of the Gran Consulta, initially announced by Mauricio Cárdenas, David Luna, and Juan Manuel Galán, represents a significant development in the lead-up to the 2026 presidential election, signaling a potential realignment of political forces in Colombia.
