The Colombian presidential race is heating up as Maria Angela Holguin, the UN Secretary-General’s personal envoy, joins Sergio Fajardo’s campaign ahead of the pivotal election on 31 May.
- The Colombian presidential race is heating up as Maria Angela Holguin, the UN Secretary-General’s personal envoy, joins Sergio Fajardo's campaign ahead of the pivotal election on 31 May.
- As she gears up for her new role in Colombia and continues her efforts in Cyprus, Holguin's dual focus underscores the interconnectedness of political challenges across borders.
This announcement follows Holguin’s recent reflections on electoral timing and its implications for the ongoing situation in Cyprus. In an op-ed published this weekend, she highlighted the significant activities unfolding on the island, where the Republic of Cyprus is set to assume the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Alongside this, the country is preparing for parliamentary elections in May, which she believes will shape political dynamics and limit the potential for major changes.
“This year, in particular, begins with a great deal of activity on the island,” Holguin remarked, emphasising the need for leaders to have sufficient time for their internal processes to develop. She noted, “On one side, there are parliamentary elections and the presidency of the Council of the European Union; on the other, the consolidation of the new leadership, with all that this entails.”
In Colombia, Fajardo officially welcomed Holguin to his campaign team in early January, designating her as an adviser on diplomacy and international relations. Her role will involve leading visits throughout the country and aiding in the formulation of policy proposals for his government programme. Fajardo’s campaign has gained traction, with opinion polls indicating he is a strong contender among voters.
Holguin’s commitment to Colombian politics is driven by her concerns regarding the political polarisation that has intensified in recent years. In an interview, she expressed her hope that her involvement could help alleviate some of these tensions. Noticias Caracol reported that Holguin has become a significant figure in Fajardo’s campaign, describing her as his “su pareja,” or partner, indicating a personal relationship that may have influenced her decision to join his team.
While engaging in Colombian politics, Holguin continues her work related to Cyprus. Recently, she extended an invitation to the co-chairs of the bicommunal technical committees to meet in London to promote dialogue and confidence-building between the communities. “Next week, we will bring together the Co-Chairs of the Technical Committees in London. I hope that we can organise more meetings of this kind in the future,” she stated in her op-ed.
Holguin’s strategy for the coming months includes facilitating interactions among key groups from both communities in Cyprus, aiming to foster understanding and collaboration. She remarked, “In the coming months, I intend to continue promoting rapprochement between key groups from both communities, so that they can meet, share their visions and their fears, and exchange ideas about how best to live together on their shared island.”
As she gears up for her new role in Colombia and continues her efforts in Cyprus, Holguin’s dual focus underscores the interconnectedness of political challenges across borders.
