The electoral race in San Lorenzo, a few months before the municipal elections in October, has taken on the contours of an internal battle within the ruling Colorado party. Two factions of the Honor Colorado (HC) movement are vying for political control of the city, with distinct strategies and support.
On one side, current mayor Felipe Salomão, son of Senator Óscar “Cachito” Salomão, seeks reelection. His administration, however, faces criticism for delayed works, lack of transparency in accountability, and the death of a boy dragged by a flash flood during heavy rain, an episode that reignited debate over the precariousness of storm drainage. Salomão moved from Colorado Añetete to HC and, in the current legislative period, maintains a low profile in the Senate, where his father was already president of Congress.
On the other side, Édgar López, president of Seccional N°2, emerges as the main challenger. Linked to former Vice President Hugo Velázquez and backed by former President Horacio Cartes, López has already started a campaign with strong financial investment, including donations of air conditioning equipment to schools and chapels, as well as logistical support for candidates for councilors from his sector. López's circle includes controversial figures, such as former mayor Alcibíades Quiñónez, remembered for allegations of irregularities in municipal management, and former councilor Carlos Ferreira, targeted by criticism for his role in the Cooperativa Policial. As a candidate for councilor, former senator and former Minister of Education Eduardo Petta advocates a plan focused on traffic and road safety, citing the vehicular “chaos” in the city.
In the opposition, the main scenario is the internal dispute of the Authentic Radical Liberal Party (PLRA) between Luz Bella González and Isaac Rojas. In parallel, articulations between the third force—represented by the movements UNITE por SanLo and Yo Creo San Lorenzo—and the liberals seek to define a single candidacy through a measurement among Karina Rejala, Antonio Bozzano, Luz Bella González, and Isaac Rojas.
Deputy Luis Federico Franco, from the opposition, criticized Salomão's administration, classifying San Lorenzo as a “practically abandoned city” and mentioning alleged overpricing in works, such as the bike path that would cost about US$ 3 million. He also blamed the city hall for the death of 13-year-old boy Tobías Vargas, dragged by a flash flood, and accused the Justice system of delay in the investigation.
Local leaders assess that, so far, there is a “technical tie” between the two Colorado sectors, with both sides betting on names with a history of questions to compose their slates.