Colombia’s presidential election is headed to a run-off after first-round results on Sunday showed right-wing outsider Abelardo de la Espriella narrowly ahead of leftist senator Ivan Cepeda. With more than 97 percent of ballots counted, the national registry reported de la Espriella at 43.7 percent, while Cepeda had just under 41 percent. The second round is scheduled for June 21.
The contest has centered on security, economic policy and competing approaches to poverty and inequality. De la Espriella, a 47-year-old lawyer who has not held elected office, has campaigned as a political outsider and a strong supporter of tougher law-and-order measures. He has aligned himself rhetorically with U.S. President Donald Trump and has drawn comparisons to El Salvador’s Nayib Bukele. His proposals include a more aggressive campaign against illegal armed groups, construction of 10 large prisons, and social programs focused on education, health care and housing for low-income Colombians.
Cepeda, 63, is a longtime senator and activist whose father, a communist leader, was murdered. He has advocated negotiations with illegal armed groups, broadly continuing the peace-oriented approach of President Gustavo Petro, though progress under the current government has been limited. Cepeda has also pledged to expand reforms aimed at reducing inequality, including higher taxes on high-income earners, broader health-care coverage and land distribution to victims of Colombia’s long internal conflict.
Turnout may be an important factor in the run-off. Slightly more than half of Colombia’s 41 million eligible voters participated in Sunday’s vote, leaving both campaigns potential room to mobilize additional support. Analysts have noted that Cepeda led earlier polls, but could face a more difficult second round as right-leaning and centrist voters consolidate after a fragmented first round. Former frontrunner Paloma Valencia, backed by ex-president Alvaro Uribe, finished below seven percent. The result underscored a closely divided electorate nationally.