Colombia heads to polarizing runoff as far-right outsider de la Espriella and leftist Cepeda advance
Colombia’s presidential election heads to a polarizing runoff on June 21 after far-right outsider Abelardo de la Espriella and leftist senator Iván Cepeda secured the top two spots in Sunday’s first round. With 99.9% of ballots counted, de la Espriella—a Trump admirer and political newcomer—won 43.7% of the vote (10.3 million ballots), while Cepeda, backed by outgoing President Gustavo Petro, took 40.9% (9.6 million), according to *The Guardian* .
The runoff crystallizes a stark ideological divide over Colombia’s security and drug policy. De la Espriella, a lawyer who rose rapidly in polls, campaigns on a hardline platform: constructing megaprisons, launching airstrikes against drug infrastructure, and poisoning coca crops—measures he says will dismantle cartels and guerrilla groups. His approach has drawn support from the U.S., as reported by *GeoPWatch* . Cepeda, a philosopher and human rights activist serving in the Senate since 2014, vows to continue Petro’s "Total Peace" policy, prioritizing negotiations and non-military settlements with armed factions.
The election’s polarization reflects broader regional tensions. De la Espriella’s victory defied pre-election polls, which had predicted a Cepeda lead, as noted by *France 24* . Over 40 million Colombians were eligible to vote in the first round, where a third candidate, conservative Paloma Valencia, trailed behind the two frontrunners, according to *Yeni Safak* .
The runoff will test whether voters prioritize de la Espriella’s confrontational security agenda or Cepeda’s diplomatic approach to Colombia’s decades-long conflict. The outcome could reshape the country’s relationship with the U.S., particularly on counternarcotics strategy, and determine the fate of Petro’s progressive reforms.
Colombias runoff pits far-right outsider against leftist senator after first-round upset
ContinuationColombia heads to polarizing runoff as far-right outsider de la Espriella and leftist Cepeda advance
- aljazeera
- euronews
- france24
- financial times
Articles
Trump ally and leftist candidate head for runoff in Colombias presidential election The right-wing Abelardo de la Espriella, an admirer of Donald Trump, came first in the vote, followed closely by left-wing senator Iván Cepeda, backed by current president Gustavo Petro.
euronews · 6 days ago
Colombia votes: 40 million choose Petros successor in polarized election Polls have opened in Colombia for a high‑stakes presidential election, with over 40 million eligible voters set to choose the successor to outgoing President Gustavo Petro. The race is deeply polarised, with three main contenders — Iván Cepeda, Abelardo de la Espriella, and Paloma Valencia — leading a crowded field.
yenisafak · 6 days ago
🇨🇴 — Colombias presidential election results have resulted in a runoff, with two candidates advancing: ➡️ Far-right candidate Abelardo de la Espriella with 43.73 of the vote, a political outsider running as a hardliner against Colombias drug cartels and guerrilla organizations, favoring confrontation, constructing megaprisons, and conducting airstrikes against drug infrastructure and poisoning coca crops used to make cocaine, with the support of the United States. ➡️ Left-wing candidate Iván Cepeda with 40.91 of the vote, a Senator running to continue Colombias "Total Peace" policy with Colombias drug cartels and guerrilla organizations, favoring negotiations and non-military settlements with the armed groups. @GeoPWatch
telegram bot · 6 days ago
Colombias outsider candidate defied the polls Far-right outsider, Abelardo de la Espriella, will face leftist senator, Ivan Cepeda on June 21.
aljazeera · 6 days ago
Populist to face outgoing presidents candidate in Colombian run-off election Conservative Abelardo de la Espriella won most votes against leftist senator Iván Cepeda in close poll
financial times · 6 days ago
Colombias far-right presidential candidate Espriella wins first round of vote ahead of runoff Lawyer and Trump admirer has risen rapidly in the polls and will face Iván Cepeda in election runoff in three weeksThe far-right lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella won the first round of Colombias presidential election on Sunday and will face senator Iván Cepeda, the candidate backed by leftwing president Gustavo Petro, in the runoff.With 99.9 of ballots counted, the outsider and Donald Trump admirer Espriella secured 43.7 of the vote – just over 10.3m votes – compared with 40.9 (about 9.6m votes) for Cepeda, a philosopher and human rights activist who has served as a senator since 2014. Continue reading...
theguardian · 6 days ago
Cepeda, de la Espriella advance in Colombias presidential election The left-wing senator and far-right newcomer will face each other in a runoff on June 21, with security a top issue.
aljazeera · 6 days ago
Colombia to hold presidential runoff: De la Espriella vs. Cepeda Colombians voted Sunday in the first round of presidential elections, choosing between a reformist left seeking to retain power following a historic victory four years ago and a hard-line right promising greater security amid escalating violence by armed groups. With 97 of votes counted, far-right outsider Abelardo de la Espriella leads with more than 10 million votes, followed by leftist Iván Cepeda. The two will face off in a runoff on June 21.
france24 · 6 days ago
Presidential election live: De La Espriella leads with 62 Counted Colombians voted Sunday in the first round of presidential elections, choosing between a reformist left seeking to retain power following a historic victory four years ago and a hard-line right promising greater security amid escalating violence by armed groups. With votes being counted, right-wing outsider Abelardo de la Espriella leads with more than 6 million votes, followed closely by oficialista candidate Iván Cepeda.
france24 · 6 days ago
Live: Colombia Awaits Results as Polls Close Colombians vote on Sunday for what is likely to be a first round of presidential elections to choose between a reformist left wing seeking to retain power following a historic victory four years ago and a hard-line right wing promising greater security in the face of escalating violence by armed groups. Polls show left-wing Senator Ivan Cepeda, an ally of outgoing President Gustavo Petro, leading the first round. Follow FRANCE 24s coverage and election results with our team based in Bogota.
france24 · 6 days ago