Colombia presidential runoff: De la Espriella and Cepeda advance to second round

In Colombia's Sunday presidential election, right-wing candidate Abelardo de la Espriella secured 43.7% of votes and left-wing politician Iván Cepeda took 40.9%, advancing both to the second round. Incumbent President Gustavo Petro contested the initial election results.

Colombia's presidential election on Sunday determined the second-round candidates: right-wing Abelardo de la Espriella won 43.7 per cent of votes, while left-wing politician Iván Cepeda secured 40.9 per cent. Both candidates advanced to the runoff.

Incumbent Colombian President Gustavo Petro refused to recognise the initial election results and formally contested them. Petro has held office since 2022 and is the country's first left-wing president. His reaction to the results created political tension in the nation.

Colombia is one of Latin America's largest democracies, where presidential elections operate under a two-round system. If no candidate wins an outright majority in the first round, a runoff is held between the two candidates with the most votes.