Cristian Moreno Panezo

Moreno became notable in the local politics of Cesar Department during the 2003 Colombian regional and municipal elections, when he ran for the governorship of Cesar Department against Hernando Molina Araújo and Abraham Jose Romero. During these elections, paramilitary groups associated to the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC) and led by Rodrigo Tovar Pupo threatened him and Romero in order to benefit candidate Molina, who was the candidate of their choice. Both candidates retreated from the race, alleging that the electoral process was rigged.^{[citation needed]}

In 2007, Moreno postulated his name again for the governorship of Cesar Department during the 2007 Colombian regional and municipal elections representing the Opción Centro of the Green Alliance party. On 24 September 2007, Moreno signed an agreement with the Alternative Democratic Pole (PDA) and summoned political forces in Cesar Department.^[2]

On 28 October 2007, Moreno was elected by the largest difference in an election for governor in the Cesar Department obtaining 140,789 votes against the candidates Arturo Calderón, 93,739 votes and Jaime Murgas Arzuaga with 47,746 votes. He became the first independent candidate to win in the Cesar Department history, traditionally dominated by traditional parties such as the Liberal and Conservative parties.^[3]