Results of Colombia presidential election: Pro-Trump, peace candidates headed to runoff
Voters across South America are increasingly ditching leaders that pitched progressive policies.
Mason Reed 
Colombia is set for a high-stakes presidential runoff this June following a decisive first round of voting on Sunday. Tough-on-crime advocate Abelardo de la Espriella and progressive senator Iván Cepeda emerged as the frontrunners, setting the stage for a clash between two starkly different visions for the South American nation's future.
The Race to the Runoff
With nearly 98% of ballots counted, electoral authorities confirmed that Abelardo de la Espriella—a political newcomer nicknamed “The Tiger”—leads the field with over 43% of the vote. Falling just short of the 50% threshold required to avoid a second round, he will face off against Cepeda, who secured 41% of the vote. Paloma Valencia, representing the nation's establishment party, saw her campaign stall with less than 7% of support.
Contrasting Visions for Colombia
The election serves as a pivotal referendum on the legacy of outgoing President Gustavo Petro. Cepeda, a key ally of Petro, has campaigned on a platform of “total peace,” vowing to continue the current administration’s negotiations with armed groups and maintain progressive policies like minimum wage increases.
Conversely, de la Espriella has anchored his campaign in a pro-Trump, hardline security agenda. His proposals include the construction of 10 mega-prisons and a fierce crackdown on criminal organizations, drawing comparisons to the controversial but popular tactics employed by El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele.
A Regional Shift
The results highlight a growing trend across South America, where voters are increasingly moving away from progressive policies in favor of punitive, security-focused leadership. This shift comes as the Trump administration exerts mounting pressure on regional partners to combat criminal activity more aggressively.
The atmosphere surrounding the election has been tense. The nation has faced persistent violence, including drone strikes and the tragic assassination of presidential hopeful Miguel Uribe Turbay last June. Despite the turmoil, the election stands as a defining moment for the continent, with voters deciding whether to double down on peace initiatives or pivot toward a more aggressive, right-leaning approach.
As Juan Acevedo, a 62-year-old sociologist, noted, the outcome will signal a broader trajectory for Latin America, determining whether the regional tide remains with progressive movements or returns to the right.
