Right-wing candidate pulls ahead in first round of Colombia's presidential vote
In Colombia's presidential election, right-wing candidate Abelardo de la Espriella emerged as the front-runner in the first round of voting. He will face off against progressive candidate Iván Cepeda in a runoff election after neither candidate secured a majority. The election results have sparked claims of vote manipulation from Cepeda and outgoing President Gustavo Petro.
- ▪Abelardo de la Espriella won 44% of the votes, while Iván Cepeda received 41%.
- ▪The election will proceed to a second round in June due to no candidate achieving an outright majority.
- ▪Cepeda and Petro have raised concerns about the integrity of the election results, alleging manipulation.
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The Americas Right-wing candidate pulls ahead in first round of Colombia's presidential vote June 1, 20262:02 AM ET By The Associated Press Presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella of the Defenders of the Motherland movement salutes after voting during the presidential election in Barranquilla, Colombia, Sunday, May 31, 2026. Fernando Vergara/AP hide caption toggle caption Fernando Vergara/AP BOGOTÁ, Colombia — Tough-on-crime outsider Aberaldo de la Espriella took the lead in Colombia's presidential race in the first round of voting Sunday night, setting up a runoff with Iván Cepeda, an ally of Colombia's outgoing President Gustavo Petro who questioned the results of the election. The Americas In Colombia's election, undecided voters weigh leftist vs.
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