Overview
- The runoff, held on Sunday, follows a May 31 first round in which Abelardo de la Espriella led with roughly 44% to Iván Cepeda’s about 41% and left no outright winner.
- De la Espriella has campaigned on a military-first plan that promises airstrikes, expanded prison capacity and closer U.S. security cooperation and has received a public endorsement from President Donald Trump.
- Cepeda, the candidate backed by President Gustavo Petro’s coalition, has pledged to continue negotiation-focused 'total peace' talks with armed groups while reviewing those talks' results.
- The campaign has been marked by violence including bomb attacks and the daylight killing of conservative hopeful Miguel Uribe which has prompted stepped-up security deployments and warnings about voter intimidation.
- Polls and markets have leaned toward de la Espriella but analysts warn that a force-first approach risks reprisals, could deepen instability and will confront a fractured Congress, high public debt and divided military opinion.