Defenders of the Homeland (Colombia)
Defenders of the Homeland Defensores de la Patria | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Leader | Abelardo de la Espriella |
| President | Mauricio Gómez Amín |
| Founded | July 16, 2025 |
| Legalised | August 3, 2026 |
| Ideology | |
| Political position | Far-right |
| Slogan | Firmes por la Patria (Firm for the Nation) |
| Website | |
| Defensores de la Patria - Political Movement Colombia Abelardista - Civilian Movement | |
Defenders of the Homeland (Spanish: Defensores de la Patria) is a far-right[1] political party in Colombia, founded by Abelardo de la Espriella to support his candidacy for the 2026 presidential election. It is described as an anti-establishment[2] and populist[3] movement.
History
During the first half of 2025, groups supporting De la Espriella began organizing on social media and at regional events. The political movement adopted a narrative centered on "defending freedom, democracy, security, and the constitution."[4]
On July 16, 2025, De la Espriella registered the "Defenders of the Homeland" campaign committee with the National Registry, with the goal of collecting signatures for an independent presidential candidacy. The chosen slogan was "Firm for the Homeland".[5]
On August 3, 2026, the Defenders of the Homeland became a political party.[6]
Election history
Presidential elections
| Year | Candidate | Running mate | votes (1st round) | % (1st round) | votes (2nd round) | % (2nd round) | Result | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Abelardo de la Espriella | José Manuel Restrepo | 10,361,499 | 43.74% | 12,960,166 | 49.66% |  Elected |
Runoff victory against Iván Cepeda |
See also
References
- ↑ "How a Far-Right Outsider Became the Front-Runner in Colombia's Presidential Race". The Wall Street Journal. June 2, 2026. Retrieved June 2, 2026.
- ↑ Osorio, Camila (June 2, 2026). "Las banderas ultras de Abelardo de la Espriella" [The ultra flags of Abelardo de la Espriella]. El País (in Spanish). Retrieved June 2, 2026.
- ↑ Gómez Buendía, Hernando (May 31, 2026). "Una democracia funciona cuando una política se radicaliza" [A democracy functions when politics becomes radicalized]. Razón Pública (in Spanish). Retrieved June 2, 2026.
- ↑ "Nosotros" [Us]. Defensores de la Patria (in Spanish). July 24, 2025. Retrieved June 2, 2026.
- ↑ "Abelardo de la Espriella inscribe comité "Defensores de la Patria" para aspirar a la Presidencia por firmas en 2026" [Abelardo de la Espriella registers the "Defenders of the Homeland" committee to run for President by collecting signatures in 2026]. Confederación Nacional de Acción Comunal de Colombia (in Spanish). July 17, 2025. Retrieved June 2, 2026.
- ↑ Duque, Tatiana (2026-08-03). "CNE avaló a Defensores de la Patria como partido político" [The CNE approved Defenders of the Homeland as a political party]. La Silla Vacía (in Spanish). Retrieved 2026-08-03.