Colombians vote for president amid security fears and rival visions for peace | TheBriefWire
Colombians vote for president amid security fears and rival visions for peace
Published 21 June 2026 · politics
Colombians are voting on Sunday to choose a new president, with the election centring on sharply contrasting approaches to security and decades of armed conflict
Colombians are voting on Sunday to choose a new president, with the election centring on sharply contrasting approaches to security and decades of armed conflict. Leftist candidate Iván Cepeda, a close ally of outgoing President Gustavo Petro, pledges to continue peace negotiations and expand social programmes, while far-right candidate Abelardo de la Espriella vows to end talks and pursue armed groups militarily.
The vote comes a decade after a landmark peace deal with FARC rebels, whose dissident factions have since returned to arms alongside criminal organisations such as the Gulf Clan. The result is expected to have regional implications, particularly regarding Colombia's role in counter-narcotics efforts and its relationship with the United States.
Al Jazeera's Teresa Bo reports from Medellin, Colombia. Find us on Check our website Check out our Instagram page Download AJE Mobile App
Published: June 21, 2026 • 7:25 PM IST · Updated: June 21, 2026 • 8:10 PM ISTBy TheBriefWire Editorial Team
Key points· Video
Colombians are voting on Sunday to choose a new president, with the election centring on sharply contrasting approaches to security and decades of armed conflict.
Leftist candidate Iván Cepeda, a close ally of outgoing President Gustavo Petro, pledges to continue peace negotiations and expand social programmes, while far-right candidate Abelardo de la Espriella vows to end talks and pursue armed groups militarily.
The vote comes a decade after a landmark peace deal with FARC rebels, whose dissident factions have since returned to arms alongside criminal organisations such as the Gulf Clan.
The result is expected to have regional implications, particularly regarding Colombia's role in counter-narcotics efforts and its relationship with the United States.
Al Jazeera's Teresa Bo reports from Medellin, Colombia.
The BriefWire