Colombia's Election Race Gets Tight Before Final Vote

With just a week left before Colombians cast their ballots, two candidates are locked in a fierce battle for the top spot in the presidential race. Polls show leftist Ivan Cepeda leading with 38. 7% support, but right-wing businessman Abelardo De La Espriella is close behind at 37. 3%. The real drama? A possible runoff where De La Espriella would edge out Cepeda 50% to 41. 3%, according to the latest survey. That’s a big jump for De La Espriella, who gained four points in a week, while Cepeda only grew by one. Another right-wing candidate, Paloma Valencia, sits at 14. 3%, down slightly, but even she could outpace Cepeda in a runoff.What’s driving the shift? Cepeda wants to keep pushing the current president’s policies—more social reforms, peace talks with armed groups, and a push against inequality. De La Espriella, on the other hand, wants to scrap those talks entirely, crack down on crime, and focus on mining and energy to boost the economy. Valencia’s plan? More military power, stricter action against gangs, and tax cuts to help businesses. This election is a clear choice between two very different futures. Cepeda’s vision keeps Colombia on its current left-leaning path, while De La Espriella and Valencia promise a harder line on security and a stronger push for private business. The current president, a former rebel, made waves by limiting oil and gas exploration to focus on cleaner energy. Now, voters have to decide: keep that shift going or reverse it? The stakes are high. With over 41 million voters, no one is expected to win outright on May 31. The runoff on June 21 will decide who shapes Colombia’s next four years—and whether its policies tilt left or right.