Colombia’s presidential election pits outgoing leader’s ally against pro-Trump candidates
Summary
Colombians are voting in the first round of their presidential election, choosing between candidates with very different ideas about how to handle peace and violence in the country. The vote is seen as a choice on whether to continue the current government’s peace efforts or take a tougher approach against armed groups.Key Facts
- The election happens 10 years after Colombia signed a peace deal with the FARC guerrilla group.
- Violence has increased recently, with attacks and even a politician killed at a rally.
- There are 14 candidates, but three main ones stand out.
- Ivan Cepeda, an ally of outgoing President Gustavo Petro, supports continuing peace talks with rebel groups.
- Cepeda and Petro have also pushed policies like raising the minimum wage.
- Abelardo de la Espriella and Paloma Valencia want a stronger military response to armed groups.
- De la Espriella is known as “The Tiger” and supports methods similar to those that reduced gang violence in El Salvador.
- The election is a test of the country’s approach to ending long-running armed conflict.
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