Colombian Presidential Runoff Election Sees Tight Race, Preliminary Results Show Narrow Lead for Conservative

Colombians voted in a presidential runoff election on Sunday, and according to preliminary results, a White House-backed conservative has a razor-thin lead.

With 99.96% of votes counted, hard-right Abelardo de la Espriella had won 49.66%, according to data from the national registry office.

Leftist rival Ivan Cepeda had 48.70% of votes going his way, less than a percentage point separating them. He has not conceded defeat.

Outgoing President Gustavo Petro said on social media that "neither candidate can be declared president." He said the vote count would determine who would lead and that he will "abide by the judges' decision."

Petro also appealed for the public to remain calm. "The reality is that our country is split down the middle, and foreign interference is taking away our freedom," Petro said on X.

De la Espriella said that he received a congratulatory call from US President Donald Trump.

"I just spoke a few minutes ago with the president of the United States, President Donald Trump, and he has expressed his support, his recognition of our victory," de la Espriella said.

Who are the frontrunners

Abelardo de la Espriella has often portrayed himself as a tough crime fighter and has also spoken in support of Trump.

De la Espriella calls himself "The Tiger" and won May's first round vote, promising to wage war on cartels and guerrilla groups.

The 47-year-old businessman's campaign style has drawn comparisons with right-wing president of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele.

"Today is the most important ballot in Colombia's history," he said as he cast his vote in Barranquilla.

Left-leaning senator, Ivan Cepeda, has sought the backing of progressives and the poor, with promises to expand social reforms.

He has the backing of incumbent President Gustavo Petro.

"When we win, we are going to govern for the whole country and not just for one sector," 63-year-old Cepeda told journalists, as his supporters chanted: "The people are with you!"

Colombia's security challenge

Colombia has struggled with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, guerrilla movement for decades. In 2016, a historic peace accord was signed, in which the FARC agreed to fully disarm.

However, dissident branches of the former guerrilla group are still active and are blamed for violence targeting former guerrillas and social leaders.

In 2025, authorities recorded 14,780 homicides, the most since at least 2015 and most driven by clashes among illegal armed groups.