Colombians vote for president in election following Gustavo Petros term

Colombia’s Presidential Election Enters First Round

Polls have opened for the first round of Colombia’s presidential election, in which three main candidates are vying for the top spot. Ivan Cepeda, a government-allied senator, is currently leading in the polls with 33.4 percent support, according to a recent survey by the National Consulting Centre (CNC). His closest opponent is Abelardo de la Espriella, a businessman promising to crack down on crime and armed groups through enhanced security measures.

The election marks a significant moment for Colombia’s political landscape, as it seeks to replace President Gustavo Petro, who became the country’s first left-wing president in 2022. Cepeda has pledged to continue Petro’s social reforms aimed at combating poverty, but his popularity has been boosted by recent polls. The top three candidates are expected to face each other in a second round on June 21 if no candidate wins more than 50 percent of the votes.

Fourteen candidates are running for the presidency, including Paloma Valencia, a senator backed by former President Alvaro Uribe, who is currently third in the polls. If elected, Valencia would be the country’s first female president.

The election has been marked by concerns over security, with the threat of violence looming large over the campaign trail. Last year, presidential candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay was assassinated during a campaign stop in Bogota. The government is seeking to keep tensions low with a ban on the sale and consumption of alcohol in public places ahead of Sunday’s vote.

The candidates’ approaches to addressing Colombia’s security issues have been a subject of debate. Ivan Cepeda has promised to continue Petro’s “Total Peace” plan, prioritizing talks with armed groups and criminal gangs over military action. His opponents, including de la Espriella, have called for a hardline approach to restore security. The outcome of the election will be closely watched as a referendum on the legacy of President Petro.

Source: Al Jazeera