Senator Paloma Valencia, representing the Centro Democrático party, has emerged victorious in the overwhelming majority during 'La gran consulta por Colombia', securing her position as the right-wing candidate for the presidential elections scheduled for May 31. With 73.71% of polling stations reporting, Valencia garnered 2,307,581 votes, accounting for 55.6% of the total 4,150,099 votes counted so far, leading her closest opponent, Juan Daniel Oviedo, by more than 1.3 million votes.

The surprising performance of Oviedo, an independent candidate who campaigned without substantial electoral machinery, has drawn attention as he managed to receive 886,338 votes (21.3%), despite preliminary surveys predicting a third-place finish. This outcome highlights a shift in voter sentiment and indicates the potential for independent candidates to gain traction in Colombian politics. In third place was former senator Juan Manuel Galán from the Nuevo Liberalismo party, who received 231,749 votes (5.5%).

The results of this right-wing consultation not only solidify Valencia's leadership within the Centro Democrático but also set the stage for an intense election campaign in the coming months. Her win reflects the current political landscape in Colombia, where right-leaning parties are vying for dominance, especially in response to the challenges posed by leftist movements. As the elections approach, Valencia's strategy and ability to mobilize support will be crucial to her candidacy's success on May 31.