Medellin’s Mayor Fico Gutierrez is the Most Popular Mayor in Colombia

Mayor of Medellin Federico ‘Fico’ Gutierrez is the most popular in Colombia. The latest edition of the Invamer poll–a leading Colombian market and public opinion research firm–measured the public approval of the mayors of the country’s six largest cities. This time around, Medellin Mayor Federico Gutierrez emerged as the most popular mayor in Colombia, with an approval rating that now stands at 79%. All signs point to consistently strong public support throughout his term–back in February 2024, Gutierrez already held a solid approval rating of 76%. 

Gains and setbacks for other mayors across Colombia

While Federico Gutierrez leads the way in public approval, other mayors and local leaders across Colombia have seen mixed results. Some experienced modest gains in their approval ratings, signaling growing public support for their leadership. Others, however, faced noticeable declines, reflecting dissatisfaction with their handling of key issues in their respective cities.

The Invamer poll highlights how public perception of local leaders continues to shift amid ongoing social, economic, and security challenges in Colombia’s major urban centers.

In the case of Cartagena’s mayor, Dumek Turbay, the local leader continues to receive strong marks for his performance. Turbay recorded the largest increase in approval among the surveyed mayors, rising from 66% in the previous poll to 75% in the latest. At the same time, his disapproval rating dropped from 32% to 23%. According to Invamer, Turbay remains one of the most recognized local political figures in the country, as his administration continues to be viewed positively by the public.

Third place in the poll went to Alejandro Char, the Mayor of Barranquilla, who received a 71% approval rating, marking a six-point increase compared to the previous survey. However, his disapproval rating also rose, climbing from 22% to 28%. This uptick in negative perception may be linked to ongoing scandals involving Char, particularly those related to allegations of corruption that have surfaced in recent months. 

For other local leaders across the country, the Invamer poll shows a downward trend in public approval. One notable example is Jaime Andres Beltran, the Mayor of Bucaramanga, often referred as the “Colombian Bukele.” According to Invamer, his approval rating is in free fall, dropping to 50% in the latest survey-down from 56% in April. Alongside this decline, his disapproval ratings have risen significantly, reaching 46%, compared to 39% previously. This paints an uneven picture for Beltran, who currently faces a Council if State investigations over a possible loss of political standing due to alleged dual political affiliation, a case that could further impact his public image.

In fifth place, with a less favorable rating, is Carlos Fernando Galan, the Mayor of Bogota. Despite a slight improvement in his disapproval numbers–dropping from 52% to 49%–Galan has been unable to lift his approval rating beyond 42%. The stagnation reflects the challenges his administration faces in gaining broader public support.

And at the bottom of the list, in sixth place, is Alejandro Eder, the Mayor of Cali, who holds a 30% approval rating and faces a striking 62% disapproval. His low performance is closely tied to the severe public order crisis gripping the region, marked by rising violence, security challenges, and the growing presence of illegal armed groups operating in and around the city.

Invamer: President Gustavo Petro’s disapproval rating has risen to 64%

The Invamer poll also assessed the overall performance of President Gustavo Petro’s administration, offering a broader view of how Colombian’s perceive not just the President personally, but also his government’s effectiveness across key areas. This distinction is important, as it reflects public opinion on how well the executive branch is delivering on national priorities such as security, economic management, health, education and governance.

The results show that negative perceptions are not limited to the president as an individual but extend to his administration. Many Colombians express frustration with what they see as a lack of coordination, insufficient results from major reform initiatives and inconsistent communication strategies. While Petro’s rhetoric has centers on structural change and social justice, the implementation gaps, and often the confrontational tone of his political discourse, have made it difficult for the government to build trust and consensus across sectors.

In recent months, President Petro’s disapproval has continued to rise, reaching 64%. His favorability now stands at just 29%. This marks a sharp decline from the April survey, when this disapproval was at 57% and his approval at 37%, a 7-point increase in disapproval and an 8-point drop in approval within just two months.

The data also reveals that Medellin and Bucaramanga are currently the cities where President Petro faces the highest level of disapproval. These urban centers have seen escalating concerns over issues such as insecurity, institutional mistrust, and economic instability, factors that may be intensifying the negative sentiments toward the national government. The erosion of support in these regions of Colombia is particularly telling, as they include politically diverse and economically active populations.

Another striking trend from the poll is Petro’s declining popularity among young Colombians aged 18 to 24, a demographic that was once crucial to his electoral base. During his presidential campaign, Petro garnered strong support from young voters who were attracted to his promise of change, inclusion, and progressive reform. However, growing disappointment over unfulfilled promises, couples with perceived government inefficiencies and controversial political battles, appears to be costing him credibility among this key age group.

This generational shift in support is especially concerning for Petro, as young voters have traditionally played a decisive role in shaping public discourse and influencing social movements in Colombia. Their disillusionment not only reflects deeper cracks in his political project but also suggests a weakening connection with the progressive ideals that once defines his appeal.