The seat of government in Congress took on a new shape this Tuesday as the U Party marked a formal departure, signaling a fresh phase in the political balance of Colombia. With no clear majority in the Senate and a fragile coalition in the House of Representatives, the ruling agenda now faces intensified scrutiny from opposition factions and allied groups alike. The move compounds the administration’s challenge to push its reform agenda through a fragmented chamber while seeking enough support to sustain ambitious social and health initiatives.
“The decision by the tribune was to declare independence, enabling decisions free from political bias yet grounded in shared responsibility,” stated Dilian Francisca Toro, the lead figure of the U Party, while speaking to reporters. She emphasized that independence would allow lawmakers to engage with each proposal on its own merits, evaluating each measure with determination and focus on Colombians’ interests.
She added that the goal of exercising independence is to take responsible stances on proposals that show promise for positive outcomes and civic benefit, while opposing those believed to be detrimental. The overarching intent, she argued, is to deliver tangible benefits to citizens while maintaining a disciplined approach to voting.
The U Party’s exit from the governing coalition marks another setback for the pro-government bloc in Congress amid a broader political crisis and ongoing debates over reform plans, including health care. Critics contend that these reforms risk destabilizing the system despite its existing imperfections, a concern that has fueled further political maneuvering as lawmakers weigh the path forward.
As a consequence of these departures, President Petro appears poised to lose his congressional majority, given the Conservatives and the United Party have shifted away from the executive agenda. Liberals hold a majority in the Lower House and are the strongest bloc in the House after the coalition realignments, though they still deliberate on whether to remain in the government coalition or pursue an independent course.
government crisis
The Conservative exit triggered a cabinet reshuffle last month, following limited progress in Congress on the controversial health reform. Critics argued the reform could affect the sustainability of the national health system, even as supporters highlighted its aim to broaden access and reinforce primary care and preventive measures.
That contention helped precipitate the departure of key ministers, including Carolina Corcho, who led the reform portfolio, and Guillermo Reyes, the Conservative quota in Transport, among others. With the Conservatives and the U Party stepping back, the government found itself steering a coalition that includes the Historical Pact, a movement that originated from the Green Alliance and the demobilized FARC, and which now seeks to chart a new course for governance in Colombia.
The alliance also spans other parties such as the Social Independiente (ASI), the Ecologist Party of Colombia (PEC), and smaller groups like the Movimiento Alternativo Indígena y Social (Mais) and the Colombian Indigenous Authorities Movement (AICO). The arrangement represents a spectrum of political voices, illustrating how coalitions can shift in response to policy priorities and leadership choices. Regardless of the provocations and alliances, the central task remains clear: advance reforms and governance that reflect a broad array of constituent interests while maintaining legislative momentum in a tightly divided chamber. [Citation: Colombian political analysis, contemporary governance reports]