Óscar Iván Zuluaga
A conservative economist who nearly upended Colombia's peace process, mounting the strongest electoral challenge to the historic Santos administration.
Born 1959 (age 67)·Colombian politician and economist·Birthday: February 3·Baby Boomers
Biography
Óscar Iván Zuluaga emerged as a key political figure in Colombia as a standard-bearer for the right-wing opposition led by former President Álvaro Uribe. A trained economist with a background in finance, his 2014 presidential campaign became a referendum on the ongoing peace negotiations between the government and FARC guerrillas. Zuluaga ran on a platform of hardline security and skepticism toward the talks, tapping into deep-seated fears among many Colombians. He stunned the political establishment by winning the first round of voting, forcing a runoff against the incumbent, Juan Manuel Santos, who championed the peace process. The election transformed into a stark choice between continuity of war or a risky pursuit of peace. While Zuluaga ultimately lost, his strong showing demonstrated the potent and polarized forces shaping modern Colombian politics and set the stage for continued opposition to the landmark deal that followed.
Baby Boomers
1946–1964
The largest generation in history at the time. Shaped by postwar prosperity, the Vietnam War, the sexual revolution, and Watergate. They questioned every institution their parents built — then ran them.
Óscar was born in 1959, placing them squarely in the Baby Boomers. The events that shaped this generation — postwar prosperity, civil rights, Vietnam, and the counterculture — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Óscar Was Born
The biggest hits of 1959
#1 Movie
Ben-Hur
Best Picture
Ben-Hur
#1 TV Show
Gunsmoke
Óscar's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1959Born
Fidel Castro takes power in Cuba
Gas: $0.30/galHome: $12,400Min wage: $1.00/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"The Battle of New Orleans" — Johnny HortonBest Picture: Ben-Hur
1964Started school
Civil Rights Act signed; Beatles arrive in America
Gas: $0.30/galHome: $13,450Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"I Want to Hold Your Hand" — The BeatlesBest Picture: My Fair Lady
1972Became a teenager
Watergate break-in; last Apollo Moon mission
Gas: $0.36/galHome: $19,550Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" — Roberta FlackBest Picture: The Godfather
1975Could drive
Fall of Saigon ends the Vietnam War
Gas: $0.57/galHome: $27,600Min wage: $2.10/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"Love Will Keep Us Together" — Captain & TennilleBest Picture: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
1977Could vote
Star Wars premieres; Elvis dies
Gas: $0.62/galHome: $31,800Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Tonight's the Night" — Rod StewartBest Picture: Annie Hall
1980Turned 21
John Lennon shot and killed in New York
Gas: $1.19/galHome: $47,200Min wage: $3.10/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Call Me" — BlondieBest Picture: Ordinary People
1989Turned 30
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1999Turned 40
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2009Turned 50
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2019Turned 60
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 67 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the first round of the 2014 Colombian presidential election as the candidate for the Democratic Center party.
- Served as Minister of Finance and Public Credit of Colombia from 2007 to 2010 under President Álvaro Uribe.
- Previously held the position of Mayor of his hometown, Pensilvania, in the department of Caldas.
- Has been a senator in the Colombian Congress representing the Democratic Center party.
Did You Know?
Before politics, he had a long career in the private sector, including working for the Colombian cement company Cementos del Valle.
His 2014 campaign was marred by a scandal involving alleged illegal surveillance, which led to the arrest of one of his top aides.
He is known for his deep, measured speaking voice and technocratic style.
Zuluaga holds a degree in Economics from the University of Antioquia.
“A strong economy is the foundation for a secure and peaceful Colombia.”
