Colombians Elect New Congress and Choose Presidential Candidates Amid Security Concerns

On March 8, Colombians voted to elect a new Congress and select presidential candidates for the May election amid heightened security and concerns over political violence, especially in rural areas. President Gustavo Petro, barred from immediate reelection, questioned the election software's reliability, while authorities assured transparency. Preliminary results indicated a fragmented Congress with the right-wing Democratic Center and leftist Historic Pact leading but without absolute majorities. Primaries produced candidates from right, left, and centrist groups, alongside others running directly in May.