Colombia is headed for a polarizing presidential runoff on June 21 after far-right lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella defied the polls to finish first on May 31, taking roughly 43.7% of the vote against 40.9% for left-wing senator Ivan Cepeda. Because neither cleared the 50% threshold, the two will face off again, with Democratic Centre candidate Paloma Valencia eliminated in third on about 6.9%. More than 23 million Colombians cast ballots, a turnout of around 56%.
The runoff pits two opposing visions for the country. De la Espriella, a businessman with no prior elected office, campaigns on El Salvador-style hardline security, pledging megaprisons and military force against drug trafficking. Cepeda, a long-serving senator aligned with outgoing President Gustavo Petro, defends a negotiated Total Peace approach and opposes a purely militaristic war on drugs.
The outcome on June 21 could reshape Colombia's relationship with the United States and its decades-long internal conflict, making it one of the most consequential Latin American elections of the year.