Regional coordinators are the connective tissue of campaigns
En Colombia, donde la historia electoral ha estado marcada por la sombra de la violencia, el gobierno activó esta semana un dispositivo de seguridad para proteger al candidato presidencial Abelardo de la Espriella tras una oleada de amenazas contra sus coordinadores regionales en al menos tres departamentos. El trasfondo es sombrío: el exalcalde Rogers Devia y su asesor Eder Cardona, ambos vinculados a la campaña, fueron asesinados en Meta mientras se desplazaban en motocicleta. En el umbral del ciclo electoral de 2026, el país enfrenta una vez más la pregunta que no ha logrado responder del todo: cómo proteger la participación política de quienes arriesgan la vida por ejercerla.
- Las amenazas contra coordinadores de campaña en múltiples departamentos irrumpieron en un solo fin de semana, revelando una presión organizada y simultánea sobre la estructura política de De la Espriella.
- El asesinato del exalcalde Rogers Devia y su asesor Eder Cardona en Meta convirtió las advertencias en duelo concreto, elevando el costo humano de la contienda electoral.
- Otros candidatos —Iván Cepeda y Paloma Valencia entre ellos— también reportan intimidaciones y daños, señal de que la violencia electoral no se concentra en un solo blanco sino que se dispersa por el espectro político.
- El ministro Benedetti anunció coordinación entre el Ministerio de Defensa, la Policía Nacional y las Fuerzas Armadas, pero sin detallar medidas concretas ni señalar responsables, lo que deja abierta la pregunta sobre la capacidad real del Estado para contener la amenaza.
- Con el ciclo presidencial de 2026 apenas tomando impulso, la escalada de violencia política proyecta una advertencia sobre los meses que vienen.
El Ministerio del Interior activó esta semana un dispositivo de seguridad para el candidato presidencial Abelardo de la Espriella después de que su campaña reportara amenazas contra coordinadores regionales en al menos tres departamentos durante el fin de semana. El ministro Armando Benedetti anunció en redes sociales que había contactado directamente a las autoridades de defensa y seguridad, involucrando al Ministerio de Defensa, la Policía Nacional y las Fuerzas Armadas. De la Espriella indicó haber presentado denuncias formales ante las autoridades competentes.
El contexto inmediato es trágico: Rogers Devia, exalcalde de Cubarral en el Meta, y su asesor político Eder Cardona fueron asesinados mientras viajaban en motocicleta hacia ese municipio. Ambos formaban parte de la estructura de apoyo a la campaña de De la Espriella en la región, y sus muertes materializan el riesgo que enfrentan quienes participan en política en zonas vulnerables del país.
La preocupación se extiende más allá de una sola campaña. Gabriel Vallejo Chujfi, director del Centro Democrático, exigió medidas urgentes para proteger a activistas en Cubarral. Iván Cepeda denunció presiones de grupos armados sobre el voto, y Paloma Valencia reportó amenazas y daños en una sede política en Bucaramanga. El patrón que emerge —intimidación, violencia y vandalismo distribuidos a lo largo del espectro político— sugiere que la violencia electoral no es un fenómeno aislado sino una tendencia en ascenso. La respuesta del gobierno reconoce la magnitud del problema, aunque la ausencia de detalles sobre medidas específicas o avances en las investigaciones deja sin respuesta cuánto puede hacer el Estado para proteger a quienes se juegan la vida en esta campaña.
The Interior Ministry moved to coordinate security protections for a presidential candidate this week after his campaign reported a wave of threats against regional organizers. Interior Minister Armando Benedetti announced on Monday that the government had activated a security response involving the Defense Ministry, the National Police, and the Armed Forces following complaints from candidate Abelardo de la Espriella about intimidation targeting members of his campaign team across multiple regions.
De la Espriella had reported that threats against his regional coordinators surfaced over the weekend in at least three departments, and he said he had already filed formal complaints with the appropriate authorities. Benedetti's statement, posted to social media, indicated he had been in direct contact with defense and security officials since learning of the threats, though the government provided no specifics about who might be responsible or what additional protective measures were being deployed.
The timing of these threats is darkened by a recent killing. Rogers Devia, the former mayor of Cubarral in Meta state, and his political advisor Eder Cardona were assassinated while traveling by motorcycle to the municipality. Both men were part of the political structure supporting De la Espriella's campaign in that region. Their deaths underscore the real stakes of the current electoral moment.
The security concerns have rippled beyond De la Espriella's campaign. Gabriel Vallejo Chujfi, director of the Democratic Center party, called for urgent protective measures for party members in Cubarral, warning of potential risks to activists in the municipality. Other candidates have also reported trouble: Iván Cepeda has denounced pressure from armed groups attempting to influence voting, while Paloma Valencia reported threats and vandalism against a political office in Bucaramanga.
These incidents reflect a broader pattern emerging as Colombia's 2026 electoral cycle gains momentum. Warnings about threats to political figures have multiplied in recent weeks, with candidates, party leaders, and congressional representatives across the political spectrum reporting intimidation, violence, or property damage. The government's security coordination announcement suggests officials recognize the scope of the problem, though the lack of detail about specific protective measures or investigation progress leaves questions about how effectively the state can shield candidates and their teams from the violence that appears to be shadowing this campaign season.
Notable Quotes
The government maintains coordination with security authorities to guarantee proper protection for the candidate and his political teams— Interior Minister Armando Benedetti
The Hearth Conversation Another angle on the story
Why would armed groups be threatening campaign coordinators specifically, rather than just the candidates themselves?
Regional coordinators are the connective tissue—they're the ones actually organizing voters, moving through communities, making the campaign real on the ground. They're more exposed, less protected, and easier to intimidate than a candidate with security details.
Is this violence tied to a particular group or ideology, or is it more diffuse?
The source doesn't name specific groups, but the mention of "disidencias"—splinter factions from the FARC—suggests organized criminal networks with territorial interests. They're not interested in ideology; they're interested in control.
What does it say that the government is announcing coordination but not details?
It's a delicate balance. They want to show they're taking it seriously without revealing security vulnerabilities or investigation methods. But it also means the public doesn't really know if anything substantive is happening.
How unusual is this level of electoral violence in Colombia?
It's not new—Colombia has a long history of this. What's notable now is how visible it is, how many candidates are reporting it simultaneously. It suggests the problem is either worse or more openly acknowledged than before.
Does De la Espriella's campaign survive this?
Candidates don't typically withdraw over threats; they adjust security and keep going. The real question is whether voters in threatened regions feel safe enough to participate at all.