The Future of Democracy in Colombia | Stanford Panel

This panel, hosted by the Democracy Action Lab (DAL) at Stanford's Center on Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law (CDDRL) and DAL's Academic Consortium, explores the stakes of Colombia's 2026 presidential election and the choices facing voters. The discussion examines the political dynamics shaping the electoral cycle, including the leading candidates, emerging coalitions, and the broader context in which the election is unfolding. Panelists will also assess the implications of competing policy agendas, discuss the principal risks facing the electoral process, identify sources of democratic resilience, and consider what Colombia's experience may reveal about broader democratic trends across Latin America. Speakers María Ignacia Curiel — Research Scholar and Research Manager, Democracy Action Lab (DAL) Oliver Kaplan — Visiting Scholar, CDDRL; Associate Professor, Josef Korbel School of International Studies, University of Denver Javier Mejía — Lecturer, Department of Political Science, Stanford University; Stanford Civics Initiative; Affiliated Faculty, Stanford Center for Latin American Studies (CLAS) and Stanford Center on Poverty and Inequality Michael Weintraub — Associate Professor, Department of Political Science and Global Studies, Universidad de los Andes (Bogotá); Director, Center for the Study of Security and Drugs (CESED); Member, Democracy Action Lab Academic Consortium Moderator Alberto Díaz-Cayeros — Senior Fellow, Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies; Professor (by courtesy) of Political Science; Co-Director, Democracy Action Lab (DAL)