Honestly, if you haven't been glued to Latin American politics lately, the answer to who is the current leader of Colombia might come with a side of surprise. As of January 2026, Gustavo Petro is still the man in the Casa de Nariño. He's the first leftist to ever hold the job in Colombia's history, and man, has it been a ride.
But here is the thing. He’s technically a "lame duck" now.
In Colombia, presidents get one four-year shot. No re-elections. Period. Since Petro took the oath back in August 2022, his clock has been ticking toward the upcoming May 2026 elections. If you’re looking for the name at the top of the letterhead today, it’s Petro, but the country is already mentally moving on to whoever comes next.
Why the current leader of Colombia is facing a wild 2026
Politics in Bogotá is never quiet, but lately, it’s been loud. Like, stadium-rock-concert loud. Petro is navigating a minefield of low approval ratings—hovering around 35% according to recent AtlasIntel polls—and a relationship with the U.S. that has gone from "it’s complicated" to "we need an intervention."
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The biggest headline right now? A massive face-to-face meeting scheduled for February 3, 2026, between Petro and U.S. President Donald Trump.
Think about that for a second.
You’ve got a former M-19 guerrilla fighter (Petro) sitting down with a Republican firebrand (Trump). It’s the ultimate political odd-couple pairing. Tensions are high because of the recent U.S. intervention in Venezuela and the capture of Nicolás Maduro. Trump has even tossed around some pretty wild accusations, calling Petro a "sick man" and threatening sanctions. Yet, Petro is heading to D.C. anyway to talk about drones, intelligence, and how to keep the cocaine trade from blowing up the bilateral relationship.
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The Team Behind the Scenes
Petro doesn't run the show alone, though he's gone through cabinet members like most people go through socks. His current inner circle is a mix of die-hard loyalists and pragmatic survivors:
- Francia Márquez: The Vice President. She’s a literal icon for social and environmental activism and the first Afro-Colombian woman in the role.
- Armando Benedetti: Recently brought back as Minister of the Interior to wrangle a stubborn Congress.
- Pedro Sánchez: The Defense Minister, who is basically the point man for the military cooperation talks with Washington.
- Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio: The current Foreign Minister (took over in mid-2025) who has the unenviable task of smoothing things over with the White House.
What Most People Get Wrong About Petro's Power
People often think a president can just wave a wand and change everything. Petro found out the hard way that's not how Colombia works. His "Total Peace" plan—an ambitious attempt to negotiate with every remaining rebel group and gang in the country—has hit massive speed bumps. Violence in rural areas is actually up in some spots, and the ELN (National Liberation Army) is still a massive thorn in his side.
Also, the economy is... well, it's "fragile" is the polite word.
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While the Colombian Peso has shown some weird resilience compared to its neighbors, the average person in Medellín or Cali is feeling the squeeze of inflation. Petro wanted these massive health and labor reforms, but the Colombian Congress basically said, "No thanks."
So, while he is the leader, he’s leading a country that is increasingly looking toward the 2026 candidates. People like Juan Manuel Galán or the journalist-turned-candidate Vicky Dávila are already dominating the news cycle.
Actionable Insights for Following Colombian Politics
If you're trying to keep tabs on what's actually happening in Bogotá without getting lost in the weeds, keep these three things in focus:
- Watch the February 3 Summit: The Petro-Trump meeting will dictate whether Colombia gets hit with more sanctions or if they find a way to work together on border security.
- Monitor the "Historic Pact" Primaries: Petro can't run again, so his coalition needs a successor. Watch names like Carolina Corcho (former Health Minister) to see if the left can actually hold onto power.
- Check the Security Reports: If the "Total Peace" negotiations with the ELN completely collapse before May, the swing toward a right-wing, "law and order" candidate in the next election is almost guaranteed.
The reality is that who is the current leader of Colombia matters less today than what that leader does in his final months to secure a legacy that doesn't just evaporate the moment he moves out of the palace.
Next Step: You should keep an eye on the official Twitter (X) account of the Presidencia de Colombia or major local outlets like El Tiempo for the immediate fallout from the upcoming Washington summit.