In Cartagena won Cepeda with 324.123 votes against 166.049 votes from De la Espriella

On June 16, 2026, the mayor of Cartagena, Dumek Turbay, issued an order to remove banners supporting presidential candidates Iván Cepeda and Aída Quilcué from the city’s historic walled promenade. The banners had been placed along the cordón amurallado, a 11-kilometer stretch recognized as one of the main tourist attractions in Cartagena and designated as a protected heritage site. According to regulations, any installation or intervention on this area requires prior authorization.

Turbay responded to concerns raised by Jorge Rojas, a political coordinator for Cepeda in the Caribbean region, who had shared images of the banners online. The mayor emphasized that the walls were not intended for public displays or political propaganda. However, when officials from the Urban Control Department conducted an inspection shortly after the directive, they found no banners installed. They confirmed that neither during their previous rounds of inspection nor immediately following Turbay's order did they find any signs of the banners being present. The department pledged to investigate further and follow up on the matter.

The situation highlights the tension between political campaigns and urban heritage preservation in Cartagena. The city’s historic walls are not just a symbol of its colonial past but also a critical asset for tourism and cultural identity. Any unauthorized use of these spaces can lead to legal repercussions and damage to the city’s image as a protected historical site. The absence of the banners, despite initial reports, raises questions about whether they were removed before the inspection or if there was confusion regarding their placement.

Cartagena has recently experienced significant political activity, particularly in the context of national elections. In the second round of the presidential election held earlier in June, Cepeda emerged victorious with 324,123 votes compared to 166,049 votes for Abelardo de la Espriella. This result marked a pivotal moment in the city's political landscape, reflecting broader national trends and voter preferences. Despite the high turnout and generally orderly conduct of the election day, some incidents disrupted the calm atmosphere, including the discovery of campaign materials near a polling station in the Nelson Mandela neighborhood.

These disruptions underscore the challenges faced by electoral authorities in maintaining neutrality and preventing undue influence during elections. The Mission of Electoral Observation (MOE) deployed a team to monitor the process, reporting several instances where campaign-related items were present in voting areas. These included campaign insignias worn by poll workers, visual propaganda displayed by delegates, and vehicles carrying campaign logos moving repeatedly around polling stations. Such practices, though common in political campaigns, are explicitly prohibited under electoral laws aimed at ensuring fair competition and transparency.

The involvement of local power structures adds another layer of complexity to the situation. Dumek Turbay, whose family connections include Senator Lidio García, a prominent figure within the Liberal Party, has been linked to various political maneuvers. During recent legislative elections, investigations revealed efforts by Turbay’s administration to secure votes for García and former mayor Yolanda Wong through the School of Government and Leadership. While Turbay has not publicly endorsed any candidate, his political allies have shown support for Abelardo de la Espriella, indicating potential internal dynamics within the party structure.

As the dust settles on the recent developments involving the removal of banners and the outcome of the presidential election, attention turns toward the implications for future governance and political strategies in Cartagena. The interplay between local leadership, national politics, and heritage conservation will likely shape upcoming decisions and policies. With the new administration taking office, the focus will shift towards addressing the challenges highlighted during the election, including ensuring compliance with electoral norms and protecting the city’s historical assets while allowing for legitimate political expression.