Colombia’s presidential election has progressed to a runoff, with a far-right candidate advancing. This development could signal another gain for the right-wing trend in Latin America, according to preliminary official results.
Abelardo de la Espriella, the far-right candidate, will face off against Iván Cepeda, a left-wing senator. Cepeda belongs to the outgoing president Gustavo Petro’s party. De La Espriella emerged late in the campaign, echoing the style of leaders like El Salvador’s Nayib Bukele. He shares a tough approach to crime similar to former President Trump’s stance, promising to target drug traffickers.
With over 99% of votes counted, the electorate appeared divided. De La Espriella secured 43.73% of the vote, while Cepeda received 40.91%. Since neither candidate achieved more than 50%, a runoff has been scheduled for June 21.
On Sunday night, President Petro expressed skepticism concerning the preliminary results. He stated he would wait for an official vote count before accepting any outcomes.
Cepeda, known for his human rights advocacy, maintained the support base from Petro’s political agenda. Petro’s project aimed to represent marginalized and disenfranchised groups in Colombia. Due to constitutional limits, Petro could only serve a single term.
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