Security and social reform dominate Colombia’s presidential race • FRANCE 24 English

Added: 2026-05-26

[00:00:00]A three-way race for Colombia's presidency has turned into a high-stakes battle over the country's economic and physical survival. More than 41 million eligible voters will cast their ballots this Sunday to choose Colombia's next president amid rising armed group violence and the highest inflation the country has seen in roughly 18 months.

[00:00:23]Leading the pack with the projected win is left-wing Pacto Histórico candidate Iván Cepeda.

[00:00:32]Our primary commitment will be to the poor. Make no mistake about it.

[00:00:37]To historically marginalized communities, to victims of violence, to those who've endured the worst social and economic injustices.

[00:00:46]Challenging Cepeda's leftist platform from the center-right is Centro Democrático candidate Paloma Valencia, who is pledging a massive return to targeted social investments while halting peace negotiations with armed rebel groups.

[00:01:02]But it is right-wing candidate Abelardo de la Espriella who is drawing fierce boundaries on hardline security and free-market capitalism, a stance amplified after two of his campaign workers were shot and killed just 2 weeks ago.

[00:01:19]Another commitment I make to you is that security will return. Security will return to the miracle homeland because crime is the main enemy of freedom and stability.

[00:01:34]De la Espriella has vowed a relentless war on narco-terrorism, though authorities have yet to attribute the campaign attack to any specific group.

[00:01:43]If no candidate clears a 50% vote on Sunday, a final runoff will follow on June 21st.