Colombia’s ‘Creemos’ Movement: From Medellín Powerhouse to National Force?
The ‘Creemos’ movement, the political vehicle that propelled Federico Gutiérrez to the mayoralty of Medellín in 2023, is now setting its sights on a larger stage: national politics. Having solidified its regional power base, the movement faces the challenge of translating local success into significant representation in the Colombian Congress and potentially, a future presidential bid for Gutiérrez.
The Hurdles Ahead: Legislative Elections and a Post-“Fico” Strategy
The immediate priority is navigating the March legislative elections. Analysts estimate ‘Creemos’ needs to secure around 600,000 votes to surpass the threshold for meaningful representation. However, this task is complicated by the absence of Gutiérrez – affectionately known as “Fico” – at the forefront of the campaign. He’s focused on his mayoral duties, requiring the movement to establish its identity beyond his personal brand.
The strategic response? Elevating family members. Juliana Gutiérrez Zuluaga, Gutiérrez’s sister, leads the Senate list, while his cousin, José Miguel Zuluaga, heads the Chamber of Representatives list. This move, while potentially raising questions about nepotism, signals a commitment to leveraging established trust within the movement’s core support base. Currently, ‘Creemos’ has fielded 25 Senate candidates and 17 for the Chamber, all representing Antioquia.
Antioquia: A Launchpad for National Ambition
Political scientist Gustavo Duncan, PhD, from the Universidad Eafit, believes ‘Creemos’ possesses a strong foundation for success. “Creemos has a robust organization and credibility in Antioquia, giving them a solid chance of exceeding the threshold and becoming a significant faction in Colombian politics,” he explains. “A party in Congress is inherently valuable for Gutiérrez, especially with potential presidential aspirations in 2030, though it’s not a guarantee of success.”
The movement is actively working to consolidate its regional project, aiming to position itself as a viable power option in future elections. They’re banking on capitalizing on the momentum generated by Gutiérrez’s previous electoral performances.
Riding the Wave: Past Electoral Successes
In the 2022 presidential election, Gutiérrez garnered nearly 5 million votes – almost 24% of the total. While he didn’t win, this demonstrated a significant level of national recognition. Crucially, he benefited from tacit support from traditional parties and segments of the Uribismo movement, despite not directly campaigning with their backing.
His 2023 re-election as Mayor of Medellín, securing almost 700,000 votes, further solidified his position. ‘Creemos’ itself achieved notable gains in local elections, winning 226 seats on the Medellín city council and 346 on the Antioquia assembly. This local success provides a crucial base of support and organizational capacity.
Did you know? In the 2023 Antioquia assembly elections, the Centro Democrático, a direct competitor for right-leaning voters, surpassed ‘Creemos’ with 413,000 votes. However, this was achieved through an alliance aimed at boosting Gutiérrez’s mayoral and Andrés Julián Rendón’s gubernatorial campaigns.
Expanding Beyond Antioquia: A National Strategy
‘Creemos’ isn’t solely focused on Antioquia. The movement is actively seeking to attract voters beyond its regional stronghold, targeting areas and demographics where they believe they can build a strong base of support. They are also leveraging an open-list system, encouraging candidates to actively campaign and build their individual profiles, hoping this will translate into increased overall votes.
The challenge lies in translating regional victories into national success. The dynamics of national elections are different, requiring ‘Creemos’ to compete with established parties that previously supported Gutiérrez, but now operate independently.
Pro Tip: Open-list proportional representation systems, like Colombia’s, often reward candidates with strong local networks and the ability to mobilize voters directly. ‘Creemos’ is betting on this dynamic to maximize its representation.
The Future of Colombian Politics: A Shifting Landscape
‘Creemos’ represents a potential realignment of political forces in Colombia. Its success could signal a growing desire for alternatives to the traditional political establishment and a willingness to embrace new leaders. The movement’s ability to navigate the complexities of national politics and build a broader coalition will be crucial to its long-term success.
Federico Gutiérrez, alcalde de Medellín. Foto:Concejo de Medellín.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What is ‘Creemos’?
- ‘Creemos’ is a political movement in Colombia founded to support Federico Gutiérrez’s political ambitions. It initially gained prominence through his successful mayoral campaigns in Medellín.
- What are the key challenges facing ‘Creemos’ in the upcoming elections?
- The main challenges include securing enough votes to surpass the electoral threshold, establishing an identity independent of Federico Gutiérrez, and competing with established political parties.
- What is the significance of the Gutiérrez family members leading the congressional lists?
- It signals a commitment to leveraging existing trust and support within the movement’s base, but also raises questions about potential nepotism.
- What role does Antioquia play in ‘Creemos’ strategy?
- Antioquia is considered a crucial stronghold for ‘Creemos’, providing a strong base of support and organizational capacity for national expansion.
Want to learn more about Colombian politics? Explore our coverage of the 2026 elections here.
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