‘Opposite visions’: What to know about Colombia’s presidential election
Summary
Colombians will vote in a presidential election on May 31, 2026, choosing between continuing the left-wing policies of current President Gustavo Petro or returning to right-wing governance. The election focuses on issues like security, the cost of living, and how to handle Colombia’s long-running internal conflict.Key Facts
- Colombia’s current president, Gustavo Petro, is the country’s first left-wing leader and cannot run again due to term limits.
- Fourteen candidates, including left, right, and center options, will compete in the first round.
- If no candidate wins over 50% of votes, a runoff will be held on June 21, 2026, between the top two.
- Main issues include crime, violence, the cost of living, and how to end the six-decade internal conflict.
- Leftist candidate Ivan Cepeda leads the polls and supports continuing Petro’s approach, including peace talks with armed groups.
- Right-wing candidates want to return to a more military-focused security approach supported by the United States.
- More than 235,000 people were displaced by conflict in Colombia in 2025, according to the Red Cross.
- The election is significant as the first after Colombia’s initial left-wing government, reflecting a key moment in Latin American politics.
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