In Colombia's presidential runoff election held on June 21, 2026, Abelardo de la Espriella, a right-wing candidate, held a narrow lead over progressive challenger Iván Cepeda. With nearly all votes counted, de la Espriella received 49.7% of the votes compared to Cepeda's 48.7%, according to results from electoral authorities. No official winner has been declared yet.
De la Espriella, a businessman and lawyer who received an endorsement from former U.S. President Donald Trump, addressed supporters in Barranquilla, stating he would govern for all Colombians and promote unity. Cepeda, a senator from the ruling Pacto Histórico party, announced plans to challenge results from over 30,000 voting stations, despite no recounts having changed presidential election outcomes in Colombia's history.
The election saw over 41 million eligible voters, reflecting a deeply divided electorate concerned about political polarization and violence. Both candidates proposed strategies to address Colombia's ongoing issues with violence and public health. De la Espriella's approach has been characterized as heavy-handed, while Cepeda aims to continue the policies of outgoing President Gustavo Petro, who has criticized Trump's endorsement as interference.
The election follows a decade after a peace agreement with FARC guerrillas, which has not fully resolved Colombia's issues with violence, as evidenced by a rise in homicides in recent years. The election results are seen as crucial for Colombia's future, particularly in its relationship with the United States.