Petro Casts Doubt on Colombia Vote Count as De la Espriella Leads Runoff Race With 43%
Updated
Updated · NBC News · Jun 1
Petro Casts Doubt on Colombia Vote Count as De la Espriella Leads Runoff Race With 43%
12 articles · Updated · NBC News · Jun 1
With more than 99% of ballots tallied, Abelardo de la Espriella led Colombia’s first round with over 43%, ahead of Iván Cepeda at just above 40%, sending both to a June 21 runoff.
Petro said he would not accept the preliminary count, alleging flawed vote-counting software and claiming 800,000 IDs were added that did not match the official census; Cepeda also alleged miscounted votes.
The National Civil Registry said its preliminary system is highly reliable, and Human Rights Watch’s Juanita Goebertus called Colombia’s electoral system independent and trustworthy, urging respect for the result.
Paloma Valencia won less than 7% and quickly endorsed de la Espriella, potentially consolidating anti-Petro voters behind the right-wing outsider in a race already framed as a referendum on Petro’s presidency.
The runoff unfolds amid renewed political violence and unusual U.S. attention, with Republican lawmakers backing de la Espriella while Petro has accused some of them of improper interference.
As Colombia's president rejects election results, is the nation heading for a constitutional crisis or a peaceful transition?
Will voters choose an 'iron-fist' crackdown on crime over peace negotiations in the historic runoff election?