Presidential election in Colombia: a decisive duel between the left-wing candidate of Ivan Cepeda and the hardline candidate Abelardo De La Espriella

Colombians are going to the polls this Sunday for the second round of the presidential election, a vote that could reshape the country's political landscape. Voters must choose between left-wing Senator Ivan Cepeda and conservative lawyer and businessman Abelardo De La Espriella, a new political figure who has made the fight against crime his main campaign issue.

The vote comes after a first round held in May in which no candidate obtained the necessary majority to win. Abelardo De La Espriella came out on top with 43% of the vote, reinforcing his status as the favorite for this second round.

This election is widely seen as a choice between two opposing visions for Colombia's future. Ivan Cepeda advocates continuing the reforms initiated by outgoing President Gustavo Petro, particularly regarding social welfare, workers' rights, and the peace process with armed groups. He also supports the moratorium on new oil exploration projects.

Facing him, Abelardo De La Espriella promises a much tougher policy against the crime and violence that continue to plague several regions of the country. With no prior political experience, he has built his campaign on a platform of restoring order and strengthening state authority.

The election is taking place against a backdrop of strong political polarization. A victory for Cepeda would signal a continuation of the reformist path pursued by the Colombian left in recent years. Conversely, a victory for De La Espriella would confirm a shift to the right, mirroring the trend observed recently in several Latin American countries.

The campaign has also taken on an international dimension. The American president Donald Trump publicly endorsed De La Espriella after several disagreements with Gustavo Petro, adding a diplomatic dimension to an already closely watched election.

The first results are expected this evening. They will determine whether Colombia continues the political experiment initiated by the left or chooses a change of course with a candidate promising a more robust response to the country's security problems.