Ultra-right wins first round of voting in Colombia
De la Espriella outperforms polls for a narrow lead over Cepeda
This story is being updated throughout the evening
The second round of presidential elections in Colombia will be a face-off between ultra-right wing outsider Abelardo de la Espriella, and leftist Senator Ivan Cepeda.
First-round voting today occurred without serious incident despite security concerns, de la Espriella leads narrowly over Cepeda. With 90% of the vote counted, de la Espriella led his left-wing opponent by just under 3% of the vote.
De la Espriella, best known as a high-profile defense attorney, is running a populist campaign inspired by Bukele in El Salvador and Milei in Argentina. Calling himself “the Tiger,” he has promised “iron first” crackdowns on criminal armed groups and corruption as well as economic austerity programs in the country.
Cepeda largely represents a continuation of the policies of current leftist President Gustavo Petro. The Colombian Constitution does not allow re-election to the presidency.
Cepeda’s allies have accused the United States of meddling in elections.
The final round of voting will take place June 21.
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