Colombia presidential election first round

Colombia>>> held the first round of its presidential election on May 31, 2026, with tough-on-crime outsider Abelardo de la Espriella>>> taking the lead with 44% of the vote. He will face progressive senator Iván Cepeda>>>, an ally of outgoing President Gustavo Petro>>>, who secured 41% of the vote. Both Iván Cepeda>>> and Gustavo Petro>>> have questioned the election results, alleging vote manipulation. The election highlights two contrasting visions for Colombia>>>'s future: Iván Cepeda>>>'s plan to continue peace negotiations with armed groups, echoing Gustavo Petro>>>'s policies, versus Abelardo de la Espriella>>>'s promise of a fierce crackdown on criminal groups, similar to Nayib Bukele>>>'s policies in El Salvador>>>. This election is seen as a referendum on Gustavo Petro>>>'s administration and its largely failed efforts to achieve 'total peace' following the 2016 peace pact with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia>>> (FARC). The political climate has been marked by increased violence, including drone strikes and the fatal shooting of presidential hopeful Miguel Uribe Turbay>>>.