Deeply divided Colombians voted in a presidential runoff Sunday that pitted business owner and lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella against lawmaker Iván Cepeda, with both candidates tapping into widespread fears of renewed internal conflict in the South American nation.
De la Espriella, a political newcomer nicknamed 'The Tiger' who earned the endorsement of U.S. President Donald Trump, proposed a heavy-handed approach to crime. Cepeda, heir to outgoing President Gustavo Petro's political movement and Colombia's first leftist leader, promised to continue Petro's signature effort to negotiate peace with armed groups. In the May 31 first round, de la Espriella garnered 44% of the vote while Cepeda earned 41%, according to official results.
What the Left Is Saying
Cepeda and his supporters argue that continuing Petro's 'total peace' strategy represents Colombia's best path forward, despite its rocky implementation. The approach seeks negotiated pacts with multiple illegal armed groups and criminal gangs.
Speaking shortly before polls opened, Petro himself defended the process, saying actors he did not identify 'tried to enslave the people of Colombia by taking away their freedom to decide.' His movement promised to provide details about 'all the accounts and funds that were transacted from abroad,' suggesting foreign interference in the election.
Supporters point to Thursday's breakthrough when one armed group with approximately 100 members gave up weapons and began a resettlement process, arguing it demonstrates the strategy can work. Cepeda has denied accusations of paramilitary ties filed against him by his opponent.
What the Right Is Saying
De la Espriella and his backers contend that only a forceful confrontation with criminal organizations can restore security to Colombia's communities. His campaign promises include building 10 mega-prisons modeled on El Salvador President Nayib Bukele's policies, which have lowered homicide rates there despite human rights criticism.
Trump's endorsement of de la Espriella drew attention in the final days of the campaign. The U.S. president praised what he called a strong stance against crime and drug trafficking.
Voters like Yolanda Hernández, 49, who recycled trash for a living before selling pens outside a Bogota voting center, said she voted for Petro in 2022 but switched to de la Espriella this cycle. 'We want change in Colombia because it's always the same violence, always the same thing,' she said, noting that food and service costs rose during Petro's tenure.
What the Numbers Show
The election arrives as Colombia faces its highest homicide rate since at least 2015, with authorities recording 14,780 killings last year. Extortions reached 13,417 cases in 2025, more than double the number tallied in 2015, according to government data.
More than 41 million people were eligible to vote Sunday, with polls closing at 4 p.m. local time. The first round results showed a narrow margin separating the two finalists, with de la Espriella holding a 3-point lead heading into the runoff.
Colombia's illegal armed groups have more than 27,000 members combined, according to estimates cited in reporting on the election.
The Bottom Line
The outcome of this runoff will shape Colombia's security posture for years to come. De la Espriella's victory would mark a sharp break from Petro's diplomatic approach toward armed groups, while Cepeda's win would extend leftist governance and continue the contentious peace negotiations that have drawn both domestic criticism and international scrutiny.
Colombia signed a historic peace pact with FARC guerrillas 10 years ago, offering hope of breaking cycles of violence. Since then, multiple rebel factions have abandoned ideological fights in favor of drug trafficking profits, contributing to surging crime rates. Whoever wins will face immediate pressure to address public safety concerns that dominated the campaign.
Vote counting is underway, and official results are expected within hours of polls closing.