Colombia's 2026 Legislative Elections Shift Senate Power Dynamics

The recent legislative elections in Colombia have solidified the Pacto Histórico party, led by President Gustavo Petro, as the dominant political force with 25 seats in the Senate, marking a significant increase from their 2022 results. The Centro Democrático, under former President Álvaro Uribe Vélez, gained four additional seats, totaling 17, although this fell short of their expectations. The Senate is now characterized by polarization, with traditional parties like the Liberal, Conservative, and La U parties playing crucial roles in shaping future coalitions and majority dynamics. The balance of power in Congress will hinge on both alliances and internal divisions within these parties.