Colombia's New Congress Chooses Opposition Leader, Defeating Government Candidate

Colombia installed a newly renewed Congress in July, with over 57% of seats held by newcomers and a significant increase for the Pacto Histórico, which added 26 senators and 44 representatives. In an unexpected coalition, the centre‑right Centro Democrático joined forces with the left‑wing Pacto Histórico to elect Honorio Henríquez of the former as president of the Senate, securing 56 votes against 45 for the candidate backed by the newly elected president Abelardo de La Espriella. This marked the first defeat for the incoming government in Congress, also resulting in the loss of the designated interior minister’s bid for a leadership post.

The alliance between historically opposing parties was described as unprecedented, with observers noting that the uribist and petrist blocs voted together for the first time. The episode has highlighted the evolving balance of power within Colombia’s legislature, where internal officials and high‑paid staff—sometimes called the “invisible power”—can influence outcomes beyond the public eye.