De La Espriella Tops Cepeda 50%-41.3% in Colombia Runoff Poll as First Round Tightens
Updated
Updated · Reuters · May 23
De La Espriella Tops Cepeda 50%-41.3% in Colombia Runoff Poll as First Round Tightens
7 articles · Updated · Reuters · May 23
AtlasIntel's final poll before Colombia's May 31 first round showed Abelardo De La Espriella beating Ivan Cepeda 50% to 41.3% in a projected June 21 runoff.
In the first-round vote, Cepeda still led with 38.7% to De La Espriella's 37.3%, but the right-wing candidate gained 4 points in the past week versus Cepeda's 1-point rise.
Paloma Valencia ran a distant third at 14.3%, yet the poll also projected she would edge Cepeda in a runoff, 44.6% to 41.5%, underscoring broader anti-government strength.
The race pits sharply different agendas against Gustavo Petro's leftist government: Cepeda backs deeper social reforms and peace talks, while De La Espriella promises a harder security line and support for mining, energy and private investment.
With billions in energy projects on the line, will Colombia's next president pivot the nation's economy towards Washington or Beijing?
As a right-wing populist surges, will Colombia choose an iron-fist security model over its fragile peace process?