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Right-wing candidate Aberaldo de la Espriela has emerged as the frontrunner in the first round of Colombia's presidential election and will face Ivan Cepeda, an ally of outgoing President Gustavo Petro, in a runoff.
Since no candidate managed to secure an absolute majority of votes, the elections will go to a second round, which is expected to take place in June.
According to official results, after 99.98 percent of the votes were counted, de la Espriela received 44 percent of the support, while Cepeda received 41 percent.
However, Cepeda and President Petro have cast doubt on the electoral process, claiming without providing evidence that hundreds of thousands of votes were manipulated and that foreign actors influenced the election outcome.
Cepeda, a progressive senator, has promised to continue the "total peace" strategy, which aims to reach agreements with guerrilla groups and criminal organizations through negotiations.
He led most polls before the vote, but in recent weeks de la Espriela has gained ground thanks to promises of a tough fight against armed groups and organized crime.
The close first-round result is considered a positive signal for the right-wing candidate, who is also expected to benefit from voters of other conservative candidates who were left out of the runoff.
Known by the nickname "El Tigre" (The Tiger), de la Espriela is a new figure in politics and has attempted to position himself as an admirer of US President Donald Trump.
"Let the United States and the democracies of the world follow this runoff. I will lead this battle and be the best Colombian fighter," he declared to his supporters after the results were announced.
The elections are being seen as a referendum on the governance of Gustavo Petros, who came to power with promises of progressive reforms and peace negotiations with armed groups.
Ten years after a historic peace deal with FARC guerrillas, violence in Colombia has surged again. Armed groups have expanded their territorial control, while drone attacks and security incidents have increased during the election campaign.
In June of last year, presidential candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay was assassinated during a political rally, an event that shocked the country.
However, Petro and Cepeda continue to enjoy considerable support thanks to social policies, including minimum wage increases and social assistance programs.
Aberaldo de la Espriela is a lawyer and businessman who entered politics through his “Defenders of the Fatherland” movement. His program includes strengthening the army and police, building new prisons, toughening sentences, and fighting drug trafficking.
He also proposes tax cuts for businesses, reducing state administration, and expanding private investment.
In the past, de la Espriela has defended figures involved in major criminal and financial cases. He obtained US citizenship in 2023 and is often described in Colombian media as a right-wing or far-right politician.
He supports the right to bear arms, improving relations with Israel, Colombia's withdrawal from several international organizations, and the cessation of peace negotiations with armed groups.
His opponents have criticized some of the security proposals, arguing that they could infringe on civil rights and legal guarantees.
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