América was expected to achieve immediate promotion back to the top flight, and they dominated the 2012 Categoría Primera B season. They were undefeated at home and defeated Unión Magdalena on penalties to win the Apertura tournament. However, they performed poorly in the Torneo Finalización and failed to reach the final, and then went on to lose the season finals to Alianza Petrolera. They were then defeated on aggregate in a promotion play-off against Cúcuta Deportivo. Ultimately promotion would not be achieved until 2016, under the direction of manager Hernán Torres.