In the picture
Promotional campaign to raise voter awareness by the Colombian National Registry
On March 8, 2026, legislative elections were held in the Republic of Colombia, in which new members of congress were elected congress the 2026–2030 term. These elections not only determined the new composition of the Republic’s legislative branch but also reflected significant changes in voting behavior across different segments of the Colombian population. The role of the youth vote—particularly that of Generation Z (those born between the mid-1990s and early 2010s), characterized by having grown up in a digital and globalized environment—was one of the main phenomena observed.
Generation Z’s voting patterns and political preferences have begun to show significant shifts in the Colombian political landscape. Unlike in previous years, the results from March 8 showed that, contrary to previously observed trends, the youth electorate appears to be leaning increasingly toward right-wing positions, making the youth vote a decisive factor not only for the upcoming presidential election on May 31 (with a runoff on June 21), but also for the country’s political direction at least in the medium term.
It is important to note that the legislative elections took place in a highly ideologically polarized political context, in one of the most polarized countries in Latin America. In recent decades, Colombia has become increasingly divided between the right and the left due to the confrontation between opposing political agendas, particularly on economic and security issues, with deep tensions surrounding reforms pushed by the government and rejected by opposition forces, leaving the political center increasingly vacant.
Numerous analyses have shown how polarization increased in Colombia during the pandemic, primarily between the right-wing faction of former President Álvaro Uribe—represented by the Democratic Center—and the left-wing faction led by the Historic Pact, the coalition of current President Gustavo Petro. The results of the legislative elections cemented the left’s position as the leading political force, but left the congress and the Senate) extremely fragmented and polarized.
Voter turnout remained stable compared to historical national trends, but this time the voter rolls included a significant number of young voters (11,702,436 people between the ages of 14 and 28, agreement the National Registry). This demographic cohort represents a growing percentage of the Colombian electorate, making their political preferences a core topic factor core topic understanding the results and dynamics of the legislative branch. Not unique to Colombia, this phenomenon is part of a broad trend observable in various international contexts.
Priorities
Given this context, it is essential to analyze the ideological shift currently taking place among Generation Z in Colombia, particularly their tendency toward more conservative views. For a long time, it has been assumed that in many different countries, young people tend to support primarily more progressive agendas; however, current analyses and evidence from surveys such as the one conducted by the Universidad del Rosario have demonstrated a drastic shift in young people’s political leanings, with an increase in right-wing positions and a decline in centrist and left-wing ones. This shift to the right is part of a global dynamic that has begun to redefine the political behavior of young people.
It is worth noting that Generation Z does not fit neatly into traditional ideological categories; it tends to be progressive on social issues while exhibiting conservative leanings on economic and security matters, as highlighted in the study “The Politics of Gen Z.” The result this combination is a pragmatic generation influenced by its immediate context, which explains why in countries like Colombia the youth vote has shifted repeatedly, currently toward right-wing positions.
This trend is closely linked to current concerns about issues such as unemployment, economic uncertainty, and security issues, which are being addressed through narratives that prioritize order, stability, and authority. This does not mean that they have completely abandoned other values, but following a pragmatic approach, Generation Z prioritizes security and stability over loyalty to traditional ideologies.
The digital environment also plays a crucial role in training political preferences training young people. Generation Z, having been born and raised in a hyperconnected world, tends to be exposed to political discourse disseminated on social media. Approximately 82% of young Colombians between the ages of 18 and 24 say they get their information on political issues primarily through digital platforms. Several analyses have shown how social media not only provides easy access to information but also amplifies polarizing messages that significantly influence opinion formation. Specifically in Colombia, these platforms have helped spread various conservative narratives among young people in a more appealing and easily accessible and consumable way. Ideological fragmentation and exhibition specific content are facilitated by the digital environment, contributing to an openness toward different political currents, including the most conservative ones (Deckman, 2024).
Another factor that helps explain the transformation among young people is their relationship with political institutions. Colombia is a country characterized by a complex mix: enthusiasm for democracy coupled with disillusionment with traditional politics, resulting in a rather ambivalent and skeptical approach to political participation. This skepticism or potential distrust does not necessarily lead to apathy among citizens; rather, it may prompt them to seek political alternatives that promise more effective results. For this reason, the shift to the right can be seen as a direct response to citizens’ perception of institutional inefficiency, leading them to lean toward conservative discourses or proposals that emphasize promote , authority, and institutional efficiency.
An international phenomenon with its own unique characteristics
From an approach , the phenomenon of a shift to the right is affecting many contemporary democracies. Amid the ideological diversity of Generation Z, young people in European and American countries have shown greater receptiveness to conservative proposals in response to negative experiences under left-wing governments, such as inflation, insecurity, and the cost of living. In the Americas, particularly in Argentina, we have witnessed the rise of Javier Milei as a figure who promotes the free market and the reduction of the state, while in Europe, figures such as Giorgia Meloni in Italy have gained support by promoting order, authority, and institutional efficiency. It is not, therefore, a uniform phenomenon, but rather one that varies according to the socioeconomic contexts of each country.
Colombia has its own unique characteristics stemming from its complex political and social history; the armed conflict, peace processes, ongoing social protests, and polarization have created an extremely complex environment for young voters. Once again, this inclination toward conservative positions can be seen as a response to the need for stability amid a long history of uncertainty. Colombian youth are not abandoning their desire for change; they are simply redefining the means to achieve it, prioritizing security and order over immediate transformation.
In conclusion, the March 2026 legislative elections, which resulted in an increase in seats for right-wing parties, highlight a significant shift in the political landscape among young people in Colombia. This shift represents a reaction to the shortcomings of the current left-wing government in areas such as structural issues, the economy, employment security—shortcomings that young people are seeking to address by supporting the opposing ideology.
Given this scenario, it is likely that the majority of young voters—Generation Z—will lean toward right-wing candidates such as Paloma Botero or even more radical candidates like Abelardo de la Espriella in the first round of the presidential election, which would clearly reflect a consolidation of this trend toward a shift to the right among young voters.