Key Facts

• Colombia will have a runoff election soon between a far-right candidate, Abelardo de la Espriella, and a far-left senator, Iván Cepeda.
• President Donald Trump publicly endorsed the far-right candidate after the first round of voting.
• President Gustavo Petro accused the U.S. government of interfering in Colombia’s election and siding with drug-linked paramilitary groups.
• Petro criticized the U.S. for ending anti-drug cooperation and accused it of supporting drug trafficking-linked officials in the region.
• Under Petro’s administration, human rights groups have noted an increase in organized crime and violence.
• Petro said Colombia’s overall murder rate stayed stable but contract killings have risen.
• Petro expressed concern that political hatred is increasing violence in Colombia.
• The forced removal of coca plants, used to make cocaine, dropped significantly during Petro’s time in office.