Colombia Update: Recent Developments, Presidential Elections and the Country’s Future

Monday, June 15, 2026
15:00 – 17:00
University of St.Gallen SQAURE, Arena 11-2091
Guisanstrasse 20, 9010 St.Gallen

Recent political violence in Colombia, including the assassination of a presidential candidate and renewed armed activity in several regions, evoke the country’s darkest days of violence three decades ago. Many Colombians now fear those times are returning and that the country faces the risk of broader disruption.

At the same time, this year marks the end of President Gustavo Petro’s term—the first leftist
administration in Colombia’s modern history—which, despite missteps and public discontents, succeeded in elevating often‑ignored social concerns to the top of the political agenda and gathered significant popular support. Amid rising polarization and the hardening rhetoric of leading campaigns, the presidential elections on May 31 and June 21 will test Petro’s legacy and reveal how Colombians choose to balance security, macroeconomic stability, and the social agenda in the next government’s priorities.

This workshop is a timely moment to assess Petro’s administration, analyze Colombia’s outlook and future, and the broader regional and international implications of the country’s transition.

15:00 – 15:10 Prof. Dr. Matías Dewey, University of St.Gallen (HSG)
Dr. Omid Alizadeh Afrouzi, University of St.Gallen (HSG)
Opening Remarks
Dr. Pilar Ramírez Gröbli, University of Bern, Walter Benjamin Kolleg,
Asociación Colombiana de Investigadores en Suiza (ACIS)
Introduction

What is at Stake in the Elections? Recent Developments Persistent Challenges and
the New Goverment
15:10 – 15:45 Dr. Juan Fernando Palacio Roldán, Universidad de Antioquia (UdeA)

Panel: Assessing Achievements and Shortcomings of Petro’s Government and the
Agenda Ahead
15:45 – 16:20 Dr. Juan Fernando Palacio Roldán, Universidad de Antioquia (UdeA)
Dr. Pilar Ramírez Gröbli, University of Bern, Walter Benjamin Kolleg,
Asociación Colombiana de Investigadores en Suiza (ACIS)
Oscar Mauricio Bohórquez, PhD(c), University of St.Gallen (HSG)
Moderated by Dr. Roland Gröbli

Public Discussion/Q&A
16:20 – 16:45 Moderated by Dr. Roland Gröbli

16:45 Drinks & Networking

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