De la Espriella Wins Colombia's First Round by Narrow Margin as 27 Amazon Reserve Zones Face Uncertainty
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jun 17
De la Espriella Wins Colombia's First Round by Narrow Margin as 27 Amazon Reserve Zones Face Uncertainty
1 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jun 17
Summary
June 21's runoff has become a referendum on Colombia's rural model after far-right candidate Abelardo de la Espriella edged Iván Cepeda in the May 31 first round, alarming farmers in Amazon peasant reserve zones.
Twenty of Colombia's 27 ZRCs were created under President Gustavo Petro, and farmers say those zones have tied land rights, conservation and sustainable livelihoods together in places long shaped by conflict and coca cultivation.
Guaviare alone lost 350,000 hectares of forest between 2002 and 2025, underscoring why communities fear a return to extensive cattle ranching, agribusiness expansion and fracking under de la Espriella.
Farmers' concerns are not one-sided: many credit Petro for advancing land rights but say he failed to contain armed groups, while they expect Cepeda to continue that approach.
The broader stakes reach beyond one election, with campesinos arguing the next government must make standing forest economically viable or deforestation and rural conflict will persist.
Will Colombia's Amazon be saved by peasant reserves or sacrificed for cattle ranching and oil extraction after the election?
How will the election's winner affect US and EU support for Colombia's fragile peace and ambitious conservation goals?
Can any government make a hectare of rainforest more valuable than a hectare of grass for Colombia’s impoverished farmers?
Colombia’s 2026 Runoff: Amazon Rainforest, Fossil Fuels, and the Battle for Environmental Policy
Overview
The 2026 presidential runoff in Colombia marks a critical moment for the nation, highlighting deep divisions and intense political polarization. Candidates Iván Cepeda and Abelardo de la Espriella offer sharply contrasting visions, with the future of the Amazon rainforest and Colombia’s stance on fossil fuels at the center of the debate. The outcome will shape the country’s direction for years, as voters must choose between stronger environmental protection and a shift away from fossil fuels, or prioritizing economic growth through traditional industries. This election is not just about leadership, but about Colombia’s environmental stewardship and energy policy.