Colombians vote in a presidential runoff that pits an outsider against a progressive

By — Regina Garcia Cano, Associated Press Regina Garcia Cano, Associated Press By — Astrid Suárez, Associated Press Astrid Suárez, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/colombians-vote-in-a-presidential-runoff-that-pits-an-outsider-against-a-progressive Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Colombians vote in a presidential runoff that pits an outsider against a progressive World Jun 21, 2026 5:22 PM EDT BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Deeply divided Colombians voted for their next president in a runoff Sunday that pitted a progressive against a conservative outsider, both of whom tapped into fears of a renewed internal conflict. The options before voters were business owner and lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella and Iván Cepeda, a lawmaker and heir to the political movement of outgoing President Gustavo Petro, the nation's first leftist leader. The two defeated nine other contenders in a May 31 vote. READ MORE: Pro-Trump lawyer De la Espriella pulls ahead in Colombia's presidential race with promise of crime crackdown Both pitched strategies that they said will prevent the South American country from experiencing the nonstop merciless violence, such as car bombs, kidnappings, disappearances and forced displacements, that Colombians lived with in previous decades. De la Espriella proposed a heavy-handed approach that earned him the endorsement of U.S. President Donald Trump. Cepeda promised to continue Petro's efforts, including attempts at establishing dialogue with multiple illegal armed groups even though those efforts have largely failed. "We have had an armed conflict and a drug trafficking problem for too long, and this has greatly polarized the country," retired economist Víctor Duque, 72, said while wearing a national soccer team jersey at a voting center in the capital, Bogota. "I believe it is one of the most important elections that has taken place in Colombia this century." Colombian flags, waved from cars, and soccer jerseys dotted polling stations and surrounding affluent neighborhoods of Bogotá. The jersey, popular due to the World Cup, has been used as a campaign symbol by de la Espriella and defended in court after Cepeda criticized its use. President again sows doubts in the results In the first round, Cepeda earned 41% of the vote, while de la Espriella garnered 44%, according to official results. Petro, without evidence, sowed doubts in the results after Cepeda, who had consistently lead polls ahead of the May vote, did not win outright and even finished behind de la Espriella. Petro reiterated his allegations on Sunday. "We must protect the vote, undoubtedly," he said shortly before polls opened. His movement will provide details about "all the accounts and funds that were transacted from abroad," Petro added. Actors, whom he did not identify, "tried to enslave the people of Colombia by taking away their freedom to decide." More than 41 millio