Poll Shows Plenty Distrust in Colombian Politics

A study by the Latin American Geopolitical Strategic Center, or Celag, reveals that the majority of people in Colombia distrust their politicians in the lead up to the presidential election in May. "Apathy and disinterest in the electoral process is what characterizes Colombian society with respect to the presidential elections," said Leandro Caruso, director of the Celag survey.

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His words are supported by survey results, which show that a total of 64.9 percent of respondents don't even know when the elections are going to be held. Although 77 percent of citizens said they were dissatisfied with Colombian politics in general, only 26.9 percent said they would refrain from voting.

Despite widespread annoyance with politics in the South American country, 55.2 percent of those surveyed said they would go to the polls to cast their ballot in this year's presidential election. Candidates vying for the top political seat in the country include German Vargas Lleras, Piedad Cordoba, Gustavo Petro, Alejandro Ordoñez, Ivan Duque and Martha Lucia Ramirez.

A total of 68.5 percent of respondents said they reject the presidency of Juan Manuel Santos, directly blaming his administration for the worsening economic situation in the country. Social issues will also be a key element in the election. Well over 100 social leaders and human rights defenders have been killed since the signing of peace accords between the former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia turned political party, the Revolutionary Alternative Forces of the Commons, or FARC.

The Celag survey interviewed a total of 1,200 people over the age of 18 in Bogota, Medellin, Cali, Barranquilla and Bucaramanga between Jan. 16 and Feb. 7. More than 36 million people are eligible to vote in the presidential election.