Colombians Vote in Presidential Election on May 31

Colombian voters will go to the polls on May 31 for the first round of the presidential election. Fourteen candidates are on the ballot, none of whom is incumbent President Gustavo Petro, who is barred by term limits from seeking re-election. The election follows four years of the first left-wing administration in Colombia’s modern history.

Petro’s government pursued negotiations with armed groups under its “Total Peace” policy while facing criticism over crime and violence linked to the country’s long-running internal conflict.

Cepeda is running as the candidate of the Historic Pact coalition. He has pledged to continue Petro’s social policies and negotiation-based approach to security. On the right, lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella of the Defenders of the Homeland Party has proposed ending negotiations, bombing rebel camps, and resuming aerial coca fumigation.

Senator Paloma Valencia of the Democratic Centre Party has offered a more moderate right-wing platform focused on expanding security forces and cutting taxes.

A May 24 poll by the National Consulting Centre and Cambio showed Cepeda at 33.4 percent, de la Espriella at 30.9 percent, and Valencia at 12.6 percent. The same survey indicated that Cepeda would trail both right-wing candidates in a potential runoff.

Analysts note that undecided voters, estimated at up to 28 percent of the electorate, could influence the outcome. A runoff between the top two candidates is set for June 21 if no one secures an outright majority on May 31.