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Colombia’s May 31st Presidential Elections

The current government of Gustavo Petro attempted to achieve what they called “Total Peace,” but this goal remains distant and many wonder if it’s more a matter of organized crime than a polítical-military dialogue to put an end to a conflict.

By Gabriel Gaspar (El Mostrador)

HAVANA TIMES – On May 31, Colombia will elect its new president, provided the winning candidate secures a majority of the votes. If not, the top two candidates will face off in a runoff election on June 21.

This time around, there are numerous candidates in the race, but, as is often the case, voter support is concentrated among just a few. In this instance, all polls point to a three-way race. The top two contenders are current senator Ivan Cepeda on the left, and Paloma Valencia, candidate for the Democratic Center, a right-wing party organized by former President Alvaro Uribe. Rounding out the trio is independent candidate Abelardo de la Espriella, who represents the outsider in this race—a hard-right candidate with a platform similar to what we have seen in recent times in other countries.

Further behind in popularity are the former governor of Antioquia department, Sergio Fajardo, and the former mayor of Bogota, Claudia Lopez. Both are positioned more toward the center, but to date their polling numbers don’t exceed single digits, just as is the case with the remaining candidates, who are far behind. In total, there are 13 presidential candidates in the first round of voting.

Given Colombia’s electoral system, two questions arise. The first is – Can the race be decided in the first round? The only candidate with a realistic chance of doing so is Cepeda, who is polling above 40% in the latest surveys—a figure that could rise, though much will depend on what happens in the coming weeks. The final stretch of the campaign could potentially bring endorsements from other candidates and parties for his ticket, and the Petro factor is certainly a factor. Note: To date, interventions from US President Trump have not been a factor in the Colombian elections, as it was in the elections in Argentina and Honduras.

Cepeda represents the so-called Historic Pact, a left-wing coalition that backs the current Petro government. However, Cepeda........

© Havana Times