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Avanza País Names José Williams Zapata as 2026 Presidential Candidate After Butters’ Exit

Infighting over the ticket leaves the party’s path to the 5% threshold in doubt.

Overview

  • Party delegates formalized Williams, a former general and ex-Congress president, as the nominee at a Sunday congress, promoting his role in the 1997 Chavín de Huántar operation.
  • Phillip Butters quit the party and withdrew his precandidacy days earlier, alleging a lack of organization and control.
  • Fernán Altuve’s place on the ticket is uncertain after Butters’ departure, even as he holds the first vice-presidential slot and the No. 1 position on the national Senate list.
  • Sources say Williams’ camp objects to his No. 3 Senate placement while Altuve keeps No. 1, and the list order cannot be changed under current rules.
  • Ex-congressman César Combina signaled support for Williams, while analysts question whether the switch will lift Avanza País above the 5% electoral threshold.