The 'veto' of Alejandro Gaviria, a new meeting for the 'mega-consultation', a rally by Abelardo de la Espriella and more electoral moves of the week

The political week began with controversies from the center, which revealed its divisions after the veto of Alejandro Gaviria as the lead candidate for the Ahora Colombia coalition. Furthermore, the traditional parties continue organizing for their mega-consultation , meeting for the second time this Wednesday, just days after Abelardo de la Espriella filled the Movistar Arena in Bogotá, which is beginning to position him for this potential alliance.

The meeting of center-right parties also revealed the divisions within the U Party , between those who want to join this bloc and those who seek to be part of the Broad Front proposed by President Gustavo Petro. Incidentally, the National Registry denied Daniel Quintero's application to register as a candidate based on signatures ; he is seeking to join this alliance of alternative sectors.

On Tuesday, it was revealed that Alejandro Gaviria will not head the list for the "Ahora Colombia" coalition , comprised of the New Liberalism, MIRA, and Dignity and Commitment parties. The move became public after Juan Manuel Galán, leader of the New Liberalism party, invited Mauricio Gaona, via a video on social media, to take the lead on the center-right coalition's list, a position he had previously offered to Alejandro Gaviria. Sources close to the former minister confirmed that he was not consulted beforehand about his exclusion.

The reasons for the 'veto' are said to be Gaviria's participation in the Petro administration, as well as the reservations that figures like Jorge Enrique Robledo have long held regarding the former prime minister. Last Friday, according to information obtained by EL TIEMPO, the political leader of Caquetá, Oscar Raúl Rojas, reportedly told Gaviria that they would insist on the importance of him heading the Senate list , and that they had expressed their support for Gaviria's inclusion on the New Liberalism list, pledging to do whatever was necessary to ensure the former minister led it.

Meanwhile, the New Liberalism movement was left without a candidate to head the 'Now Colombia' list because Professor Gaona rejected the offer: " With the frankness that truth demands, I am not a politician, and the task you kindly entrust to me requires such a disposition . My work and my struggle are focused on protecting the constitutional order, the law, human rights, and, particularly, history," Gaona told Galán in a letter he published on social media.

A second meeting was held this Wednesday to organize a broad consultation among the traditional political parties , following the first meeting between former presidents Álvaro Uribe and César Gaviria eight days ago in Medellín. The meeting took place in the nation's capital at the home of Senator Nadia Blel, president of the Conservative Party's board of directors.

The main conclusion was to open the doors to any political sector that wants to be part of this coalition , including those running as independent candidates , with the exception of those linked to President Petro's administration. The meeting included the leaders of the different parties and addressed policy and electoral issues . Another meeting is expected in two weeks, and a further meeting between César Gaviria and Álvaro Uribe is also anticipated.

According to several attendees at the mega-consultation meeting, the U Party was represented by former Governor of Valle del Cauca and co-president, Clara Luz Roldán . However, this version has been denied by various sectors within the party , who claim that Roldán was at another meeting with the Senate caucus at David Name's house. They added that "the party is not participating in that consultation" and that they will soon announce their support for Roy Barreras, which would place them within the "broad front" proposed by President Gustavo Petro. Iván Cepeda, the winner of the Historical Pact primary, also intends to participate in that front. However, the faction led by Governor Dilian Francisca Toro, one of the powerful groups within the U Party, wants to join the alliance of former Presidents Uribe and Gaviria.

Lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella held an event at the Movistar Arena in Bogotá this Monday holiday , which was attended by more than 15,000 people and included congressmen such as Miguel Polo Polo and Lina Garrido, former officials such as Viviane Morales, party leaders such as Enrique Gómez and figures from the international right such as Agustín Laje, who was present virtually.

After more than three hours of waiting by the public, De la Espriella stated that his political project aims to "make the roar of a movement heard" that will sweep the entire country. The rally generated considerable discussion on social media, between those who support the lawyer and those who oppose him.

Through a resolution, the National Registry denied former Medellín mayor Daniel Quintero's registration by signature , arguing that he never officially withdrew his candidacy in the Historical Pact primary . This closes the only remaining avenue Quintero had for his presidential aspirations. The case had been referred to the National Electoral Council (CNE), but the CNE returned it to the Registry. In response, Quintero announced he would file a complaint against Registrar Hernán Penagos for "abuse of power."

In other developments this week, former senator David Luna surpassed one million signatures for his presidential bid , just weeks after announcing an alliance with former minister Mauricio Cárdenas and Juan Manuel Galán. Meanwhile, Claudia López reaffirmed that there is no possibility of her joining the Broad Front in March, and that she will be a candidate "until the end," also ruling out the possibility of participating in a right-wing primary.

Finally, Iván Cepeda announced that María José Pizarro will be his campaign manager , after the senator withdrew her Senate candidacy following disagreements with Carolina Corcho.

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