Who is Juan Carlos Garcés Rojas?

Juan Carlos Garcés Rojas is a Colombian senator representing the political party La U, part of the so-called "Nueva Generación" faction led by Dilian Francisca Toro. He was elected with 155,000 votes in 2021, making him the most-voted senator of his party. Garcés was born on April 29, 1977, in Cali, Valle del Cauca. He holds a degree in Marketing and International Business from the Autonomous University of Occidente and has advanced degrees in Investment Project Management and Business Administration from the Free University of Cali. His career includes roles such as a city council member in Cali, where he ran in 2011 under the leadership of Roy Barreras but received only 5,000 votes. In 2015, he entered politics again, running for the Assembly of Valle and was elected with 47,000 votes, becoming the most-voted deputy in the country. He served as president of the assembly during the first term of governor Dilian Francisca Toro and was re-elected in 2019, once more as the most-voted deputy with 75,000 votes. In 2021, he left his seat in the House of Representatives to run for the Senate, where he was elected with 155,000 votes. Garcés is part of the political group led by Toro, known as "Nueva Generación," and was one of three selected for the Senate alongside Katherine Ibargüen and Norma Hurtado. After Toro stepped down as head of the party, Garcés was appointed co-director, though he represents a faction distant from President Gustavo Petro’s government. He opposed several reforms proposed by the administration, including the health reform. Norma Hurtado Sánchez, another senator from La U, serves on the Seventh Commission of the Senate, responsible for constitutional reforms, electoral rules, and adjustments to justice. Born in Buga, Valle del Cauca, in 1969, Hurtado is a lawyer from the Santiago de Cali University and holds a master's degree in public policies from the University of Valle. She was elected as a senator in 2022 with 128,000 votes and became president of the Seventh Commission until 2023. Before entering national politics, she worked as a city councilor in Cali from 2012, later serving as secretary of government under Dilian Francisca Toro’s administration from 2016 to 2017. Her political career began in 2018 when she was elected as a representative to the House of Representatives, securing 62,000 votes. During her time in Congress, she chaired the Seventh Commission from 2019 to 2020. Hurtado’s family, including her husband Fernando Gutiérrez and daughter Angie Gutiérrez, both linked to healthcare positions in the Valle del Cauca and Cali, came into public focus during debates over the health reform, as senators from the Historical Pact attempted to recuse her due to alleged conflicts of interest. In 2024, Hurtado voted against the approval of the labor reform and presented an alternative proposal incorporating demands from unions. She was among eight signatories of a motion to archive the health reform, which gained majority support within the Seventh Commission, composed of 14 senators. In 2023, she authored a bill aimed at regulating companies producing vaping devices and electronic cigarettes. Under President Petro’s administration, Hurtado emerged as a vocal opponent of social reforms within La U. The political landscape in Colombia continues to shift, particularly within the party La U, which has been central to recent legislative developments. The National Electoral Council (CNE) is currently determining the future of La Fuerza, the party founded by Roy Barreras, who previously led the unsuccessful campaign for city council in Cali in 2011. Barreras' influence remains significant, especially given his historical ties to the region and his role in shaping local political strategies. Meanwhile, the internal dynamics of La U remain complex, with factions such as "Nueva Generación" under Dilian Francisca Toro maintaining their distinct ideological stance, often clashing with the broader party leadership and the government of President Gustavo Petro. This tension is evident in the opposition to key reforms, including the health and pension systems, where figures like Garcés and Hurtado have taken clear stances. The debate around the health reform has highlighted the challenges faced by politicians navigating both institutional processes and public scrutiny. Hurtado’s involvement, particularly regarding her family connections, underscores the intersection of personal life and political accountability. Similarly, Garcés’ position on the health reform reflects broader divisions within the party, as some members align with the government while others resist its proposals. These tensions are further complicated by the evolving structure of La U, which has seen changes in leadership and direction since the departure of its former president, Dilian Francisca Toro. As the legislative process unfolds, the actions of these influential figures will continue to shape the trajectory of policy and party strategy. With the CNE playing a pivotal role in defining the future of La Fuerza, the political landscape remains fluid, influenced by ongoing negotiations, internal party struggles, and external pressures from the executive branch. The outcomes of these developments will likely have lasting implications for the political framework and governance structures in Colombia.