Colombia is heading for a presidential runoff after left-wing candidate Ivan Cepeda formally acknowledged his defeat in the first round of voting, clearing the way for a head-to-head contest with right-wing contender Abelardo De La Espriella on June 21.
De La Espriella, a lawyer and candidate of the Defenders of the Homeland movement, secured 43.7% of the vote, while Cepeda won 40.9% after the final count of ballots from all polling stations.
Cepeda had initially questioned the outcome, citing discrepancies in the voter registry and alleging possible irregularities involving more than 800,000 identity cards. However, he later said he had no evidence to support claims of electoral wrongdoing.
“In my capacity as presidential candidate for the Historic Pact and the Alliance for Life, I inform the public that, once the counting is finished, I acknowledge the results of the first round of the presidential election,” Cepeda wrote on X.
His concession removes a major obstacle to the campaign’s next phase after De La Espriella made participation in a televised debate conditional on his rival formally accepting the results.
Nicknamed “The Tiger”, De La Espriella has built his campaign around security, economic growth and reducing the size of the state. The 47-year-old has pledged to crack down on organised crime, combat drug trafficking and illegal armed groups, strengthen the military and construct 10 megaprisons.
Cepeda, a 63-year-old philosopher and congressman, has campaigned on expanding social programmes introduced by President Gustavo Petro’s administration. He has also promised measures aimed at reducing poverty and inequality while pursuing dialogue with illegal armed groups.
The runoff campaign is expected to be fiercely contested. Political analysts say Cepeda could face a more difficult challenge in the second round as right-leaning voters who were divided among several candidates in the first round are likely to consolidate behind De La Espriella.
Official figures from Colombia’s national registry office show turnout in the first round stood at about 58%, reflecting relatively modest voter participation in a race that could reshape the country’s political direction.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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