The election of Abelardo de la Espriella to the Presidency of Colombia redrawn the political map of South America and strengthened a trend that has been consolidating since the end of 2025, with the advance of the right over governments that, until recently, were part of the region’s progressive bloc.
Although the result still depends on the final validation of the Colombian electoral authority, the preliminary count shows a sufficient advantage to confirm the defeat of senator Iván Cepeda, a candidate supported by current president Gustavo Petro. If confirmed, the victory ends the first experience of a left-wing government in Colombian history.
More than a domestic change, the result has a regional impact. From the time De la Espriella takes office on August 7, the ideological division in South America will be balanced, with six governments identified with the right and six aligned with the left or center-left.
The change reduces the group of natural allies of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT), who had been focusing on rebuilding regional integration mechanisms after returning to the Palácio do Planalto. Colombia was one of the Brazilian government’s main political partners in forums such as Unasur and Celac.
Conservative winning streak
The Colombian election did not occur in isolation. In the last nine months, the right has accumulated important victories in countries that were governed by the left.
In October 2025, Rodrigo Paz won the presidential race in Bolivia, ending almost two decades of political protagonism for the Movement to Socialism (MAS). Two months later, José Antonio Kast defeated the progressive camp in Chile and took the right back to La Moneda Palace.
Now, Colombia joins this movement. The sequence reinforces the formation of a conservative bloc that already includes Javier Milei, in Argentina; Daniel Noboa, in Ecuador; Santiago Peña, in Paraguay; Kast, in Chile; Rodrigo Paz, in Bolivia; and now De la Espriella.
Peru can extend the advantage
The trend could gain a new chapter in the coming days. In Peru, the count is still underway, but Keiko Fujimori maintains a narrow lead over the left-wing candidate Roberto Sánchez. With more than 99% of the ballot boxes counted, the difference exceeds 40 thousand votes.
If the leadership is confirmed, the right will control seven of the 12 South American governments, opening up an unprecedented advantage since the recent return of electoral conservatism in the region.
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Pink wave
The current scenario contrasts with what prevailed just over a decade ago. In 2015, eight countries in South America were governed by left or center-left forces. The period represented the height of the so-called “second pink wave”, marked by the presence of progressive governments in large economies in the region.
The situation began to change in the following years, but returned to favor the left after the pandemic. In 2023 and 2024, victories by progressive leaders in strategic countries fueled the perception that the continent was once again heading in this direction.
Until September 2025, only Argentina, Paraguay and Ecuador had governments clearly identified with the right. Less than a year later, the balance of forces changed again.
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Security replaces savings
One of the common elements in recent conservative victories is the centrality of the public security agenda.
In Bolivia, Chile and Colombia, the fight against organized crime, drug trafficking and urban violence occupied a similar or greater space than economic discussions.
De la Espriella built his campaign by promising tougher penalties, strengthening the Armed Forces and building mega-prisons. The speech bears similarities to strategies adopted by leaders such as Nayib Bukele, in El Salvador, and found fertile ground in a country that has lived with armed conflicts, drug trafficking and political violence for decades.
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