Former senator Roy Barreras, former ambassador of Colombia to the United Kingdom, announced this Monday his candidacy for the presidential elections of May 31, 2026, in an event held on Monserrate Hill in Bogotá in which he assured that his purpose will be to “unite Colombia to heal its wounds.”
“First I helped thousands of Colombians heal their bodies; Now I want to help heal the soul of this country“said the 61-year-old candidate, who recalled the almost two decades that He worked as a doctor in public hospitals and in recent years has been an ally of President Gustavo Petro. Barreras, who has been through various political parties, was a senator between 2010 and 2023 and presided over Congress on two occasions (2012-2013 and 2022-2023).
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In April he resigned from his position as ambassador to the United Kingdom so as not to be disqualified in the electoral race. “Today begins the path that will take us to the Presidency of Colombia, to build together the Colombia we want“said the politician, who presented “total security”, the promotion of a productive economy and national unity as the axes of his presidential proposal.
Barreras stressed that his objective is to recover the authority of the State and strengthen the institutional presence throughout the country. “We are going to restore order and regain control of the territory. We have the strength to do it and we know how to do it“said Barreras, alluding to the motto of his campaign, ‘Strength’, with which this Monday he spread massive advertising in local media, both printed and digital, identified with a large “R” as a symbol of his name and that central message. The former ambassador proposed a great commitment to the countryside, infrastructure and tourism, in addition to a plan to attract foreign investment with “stability and clear rules.”
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“Colombia does not need fights, it needs solutions. They have filled us with a hatred that is not ours“said Barreras, who stressed that “The real enemies are those who want to see us divided“. The former senator reported that He has traveled the country listening to farmers, taxi drivers (a profession to which he himself dedicated himself), merchants, businessmen and women heads of families.where he could confirm that “People are afraid, they feel that no one is responsible for their safety, and they are tired of polarization“.
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Faced with several unknowns that point to him as the representative of political currents close to the Government, Barreras stated that he intends to be “everyone’s candidate.” Barreras will seek to reach the first round on May 31 through the interparty consultation of the Frente Ampliowith which it is expected to select a single left-wing candidate on March 8, although he insisted that its purpose “is not to divide anyone, but to unite the country.”
EFE
