Colombia votes in presidential runoff between businessman de la Espriella and lawmaker Cepeda

Colombians went to the polls on Sunday for a runoff presidential vote between business owner and lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella and lawmaker Iván Cepeda, the latter linked to the movement of former left-wing president Gustavo Petro. In the first round, de la Espriella led with 44% of the vote to Cepeda’s 41%, but outgoing President Petro questioned the tally, saying the vote must be protected and promising to disclose any foreign funding involved.

De la Espriella, endorsed by former U.S. President Donald Trump, advocated a hard-line security strategy that includes building large prisons, citing the model used by El Salvador’s president. Cepeda pledged to continue Petro’s peace negotiations with illegal armed groups, a policy that has so far yielded limited disarmament.

Voter turnout approached the 41 million eligible citizens, with polling stations in Bogotá marked by national flags and soccer jerseys. Retired economist Víctor Duque described the election as one of the most consequential in the country’s recent history. Voters expressed mixed views: some, like Yolanda Hernández, switched from Petro to de la Espriella citing unmet promises, while others, such as Fernando Lozano, warned that a confrontational approach to armed groups could exacerbate violence.

The campaign has been marked by accusations of fraud and ties to paramilitary groups. Cepeda filed complaints with the Attorney General’s Office and the International Criminal Court alleging such connections for de la Espriella, who has denied the claims. Polls closed at 4 p.m., and the final result will determine whether Colombia pursues a tougher security stance or continues negotiations aimed at ending decades-long internal conflict.