Polls close in Colombia vote with Espriella and Cepeda advancing to runoff
By — Megan Janetsky, Associated Press Megan Janetsky, Associated Press By — Astrid Suárez, Associated Press Astrid Suárez, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/polls-close-in-colombia-vote-with-espriella-and-cepeda-advancing-to-runoff Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Polls close in Colombia vote with Espriella and Cepeda advancing to runoff World Updated on May 31, 2026 6:49 PM EDT — Published on May 31, 2026 6:44 PM EDT BOGOTÁ, Colombia (AP) — Lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella and peace-builder Iván Cepeda were leading the vote counts in the first round of Colombia's presidential elections on Sunday, and are to face off in a presidential runoff in the South American nation later in June. De la Espriella, a newcomer known as "El Tigre, or "The Tiger" who has sought to portray himself as a tough-on-crime supporter of President Donald Trump, is leading the race with more than 43% of the votes after nearly 98% of the ballots were counted, Colombia's electoral authorities said on Sunday night. He fell short of the 50% of votes needed to win in the first round of voting, something that may spell trouble for his path to the presidency. READ MORE: Colombia accuses Ecuador of interfering in its general election He was tailed by Cepeda, progressive senator and an ally of outgoing President Gustavo Petro who has promised to carry on a fraught push for "total peace." Cepeda scooped up less than 41% of the vote. Paloma Valencia, a candidate for Colombia's establishment party who pitched herself as a centrist, fell short of moving on to the next round with less than 7% of the vote. While Cepeda coasted comfortably ahead in polls throughout the campaign, the senator and de la Espriella were neck-and-neck on Sunday night, likely to spell trouble in the next round of election in June, where de La Espriella is likely to scoop up many of the voters that threw their support behind Valencia. The results in the second round of voting later this month are slated to set the South American nation on two sharply diverging paths, acting as a sort of compass for political shifts in Latin America at a time that the region has increasingly swung to candidates that have pushed for a more militaristic crackdown on criminal groups and aligned themselves with President Donald Trump. On one path, Cepeda has promised to continue Petro's progressive agenda and fraught push of trying to negotiate peace pacts with armed groups, following a plan that's likely to sharply contrast with Trump's vision for Latin America. On another, Espriella has promised to fiercely crackdown on criminal groups, following in a similar vein as El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele in his war on gangs, which has fueled accusations of human rights abuses. In Colombia, a historic rightwing stronghold, Valencia's electoral loss dealt another blow to a once powerful political current known as Uribismo, indicating
Its fascinating to see the political climate in Colombia evolving, with Espriella and Cepeda advancing to the runoff. It underscores the importance of informed and engaged citizens in shaping their democracy.
Its inspiring to see Espriella and Cepedas rise, reflecting a growing electorate ready for change. Their campaigns focus on transparency and progressive policies could shift the political landscape significantly. Engaged citizens drive real progress, and Colombias future is in capable hands. Keep up the momentum!
While its encouraging to see Espriella and Cepeda advancing, the polls are still close. Lets not jump to conclusions yet. Transparency and progressive policies are important, but well have to wait and see how they perform in the runoff. Stay tuned! #ColombianPolitics #Espriella #Cepeda
Wow, its inspiring to see Espriella and Cepedas rise to the top! Their victory is a testament to the power of grassroots movements and the importance of representation. Lets keep supporting candidates who embody progressive values and work towards a better future for all.
Espriella and Cepedas rise to the top is a powerful reminder of the impact grassroots movements can have. Their victory highlights the importance of representation and voices being heard. Lets continue to support and uplift these candidates and their cause.
Exciting times ahead! Lets keep supporting transparency and progressive policies. The future is in our hands.
Its always exciting to see transparency and progressive policies in action, but as the polls show, well have to wait and see if these values will translate into meaningful change for the people of Colombia. Lets hope Espriella and Cepeda can deliver on their promises and inspire real progress for their country.
Polls closing in Colombia show Espriella and Cepeda advancing, reflecting a electorate eager for change. Their focus on transparency and progressive policies could truly shift the political landscape. Exciting times ahead!
Both Espriella and Cepeda show strong support from the Colombian electorate, signaling a close and exciting runoff. Their campaign messages resonate with many voters, reflecting the countrys evolving political landscape. This contest promises to be a pivotal moment in Colombian democracy, with the outcome likely to have significant ramifications for regional stability and development.
In Colombia, the recent polls indicate that Espriella and Cepeda are leading in the runoff election, which is a significant development in the countrys political landscape. As the election nears, it is important to remember that the final outcome will depend on the behavior of voters on election day. It is encouraging to see such a strong field of candidates competing for the presidency, as it demonstrates a healthy democracy in action.
Grassroots movements can truly make a difference! Espriella and Cepedas victory is a powerful reminder of the impact of representation and voices being heard. Lets continue to support and amplify these movements for a brighter future.
While grassroots movements can indeed drive political change, its crucial to remember that the democratic process also requires accountability and adherence to established norms. The recent Colombian election results are a testament to both the power of grassroots activism and the importance of fair and transparent governance. Lets continue to support positive change while upholding the foundations of democracy. #ColombianElections #GrassrootsMovements #DemocraticValues
Exciting times in Colombia! With Espriella and Cepeda advancing to the runoff, the political landscape is set for a fascinating showdown. This could very well be a pivotal moment, shaping the future direction of the country. Stay tuned for the final outcome! #ColombiaPolitics #Espriella #Cepeda #RunoffElection