Two visions, one country on the limit
Colombians go to the polls this Sunday for the closest presidential second round in years. The progressive Iván Cepeda, an ally of Gustavo Petro, faces the conservative Abelardo de la Espriella, an outsider who surprised by leading the first round with 43.73% of the votes.
“I am concerned about the extreme polarization. There are two very opposing sides and the violence worries me,” lawyer John Manrique told The Associated Press from Bogotá. “I hope we accept the result and seek a social consensus.”
The ghost of polarization
Glaeldys González, analyst at the International Crisis Group, warns that the levels of polarization are “extremely high” and that the electorate is looking for a real solution to violence, health, corruption and finance in both poles.
De la Espriella, known as “El Tigre”, promises a tough hand: mega prisons like Bukele’s and confronting illegal groups. He received the endorsement of Donald Trump. Cepeda, philosopher and former communist, promises to deepen Petro’s social reforms and maintain peace talks. This week, 100 members of armed groups demobilized thanks to this policy.
Allegations of fraud and call for calm
The second round has tense the atmosphere. Cepeda admitted that Petro did not recognize the preliminary count, although he later accepted the official count. The Ombudsman’s Office asked candidates and leaders to promote trust in institutions and avoid unsubstantiated allegations of fraud.
González pointed out that Crisis Group views possible outbreaks of post-election violence with concern, but trusts that international institutions and observers will help contain them.
Yamile Guevara, a retired teacher, criticized the historical distrust of the left: “The left has always been seen as something negative. People forget history.”
On Sunday, Colombia decides between two opposite paths, with democracy and peace as a backdrop.
