Honorio Henríquez Elected President of Colombia’s Senate

On 20 July 2026 the Colombian Senate elected Honorio Henríquez of the Centre Democratic party as its president, receiving 56 votes against 45 for Alfredo Deluque. The result was unexpected because it relied on the backing of the opposition Pacto Histórico, marking the first time in about five decades that the Senate president is not aligned with the incoming president, Abelardo de la Espriella.

Henríquez pledged to keep the Senate independent of the executive, stating that the chamber will “not be an appendage of the government” and will respect constitutional limits. President‑elect De la Espriella congratulated the new Senate leader while emphasizing respect for legislative autonomy.

Multiple political leaders denied any formal alliance between the right‑wing Uribista bloc and the left‑wing Petrist bloc, describing the support as a situational convergence rather than a lasting coalition. The new Congress will also soon assign members to permanent commissions, a process that will shape the legislative agenda of De la Espriella’s administration.