Paloma Valencia declares Colombia's Centro Democrático not a right‑wing party, igniting internal dispute

Paloma Valencia, former senator and ex‑presidential candidate, said the Centro Democrático should not be labeled a right‑wing party, describing it as a distinct uribist movement that combines economic freedom with state intervention to prevent hunger. She highlighted social programs such as Familias en Acción and Colombia Mayor and contrasted the party’s model with the libertarian approaches of Javier Milei, Nayib Bukele and the new president Abelardo De La Espriña, known as “El Tigre”. Valencia made the remarks at the “Unidad, Doctrina, Futuro” gathering convened by former president Álvaro Uribe. María Fernanda Cabal responded sharply, calling the stance an “ideological catastrophe” and defending the party’s right‑wing identity. Representative Daniel Briceño and other members also criticized Valencia’s position, warning that abandoning the traditional right could weaken the party. The debate reflects a growing split within Colombia’s main right‑wing party between its historic uribist base and the emerging populist right.