Colombia's presidency goes to runoff election, pitting leftist senator against pro-Trump rival

Political outsider Abelardo de la Espriella has surprisingly secured a place in Colombia's 2026 presidential runoff election, defying earlier polls that had placed him in a lower position. Espriella, a far-right lawyer and businessman known for his populist approach, emerged as the leading vote-getter in the first round of voting held on Sunday, May 31, 2026. He will now face leftist Senator Iván Cepeda in the second and final round of the election.

Iván Cepeda, a prominent senator from the ruling left-wing Historic Pact coalition and a staunch ally of current President Gustavo Petro, advanced to the runoff after securing the second-highest number of votes. Neither de la Espriella nor Cepeda garnered the over 50% majority needed to win outright in the first round, setting the stage for a head-to-head contest on June 21st.

De la Espriella's unexpected strong performance highlights a shift in voter sentiment, as he campaigned on a platform emphasizing security and traditional values, drawing comparisons to other right-wing leaders in the region. Meanwhile, Cepeda, a long-standing human rights activist, continues to champion the left's agenda, including ongoing peace processes in the nation.