Colombia Candidates End Campaigns Before May 31 Vote as Poll Shows Cepeda Leading at 63
Updated
Updated · Reuters · May 24
Colombia Candidates End Campaigns Before May 31 Vote as Poll Shows Cepeda Leading at 63
8 articles · Updated · Reuters · May 24
Mass rallies closed Colombia's presidential campaigns on Sunday, capping the final push before the May 31 first-round vote and a likely June 21 runoff.
Ivan Cepeda, 63, entered the final week as a narrow front-runner, but the last poll projected he would lose a runoff to either right-wing rival after earlier surveys had him winning.
Abelardo De La Espriella, 47, ran on tax cuts, mining and energy investment and a military crackdown, while Paloma Valencia, 48, campaigned on expanding the armed forces, shrinking government and cutting taxes.
The race is expected to turn more polarizing because Cepeda is attacked over Petro's faltering 'total peace' policy and alleged FARC links, while De La Espriella faces criticism over past clients including Alex Saab.
Whoever wins will inherit pressure to restore security, repair public finances and tackle informal employment, poverty and inequality after a conflict that has killed more than 450,000 people.
Can Colombia’s next president stop the violence without adopting El Salvador's controversial security model?
With the peace process failing, is this election a final choice between leftist reform and hard-right repression?
Colombia’s 2026 Presidential Election: Security Crisis, Polarization, and the Battle for Peace
Overview
Colombia is heading into its May 31st, 2026 presidential election amid deep polarization and widespread anxiety over public security. The tense atmosphere is fueled by recent political violence, including an attack on a senator’s motorcade and the assassination of a presidential hopeful last year. These incidents highlight a broader pattern of threats and unrest, making security the top concern for voters. As the country faces ongoing violence and political divisions, the election’s outcome will be shaped by how candidates address these urgent security challenges and the public’s desire for stability.