Polls have closed across Colombia in a closely watched presidential election that could significantly reshape the country’s domestic policies, security strategy, and relationship with the United States.
The election comes after months of diplomatic tensions between current President Gustavo Petro and U.S. President Donald Trump over drug trafficking, regional security, and American influence in Latin America.
With Colombia’s constitution barring Petro from seeking a second consecutive term, he has endorsed left-wing candidate Iván Cepeda as his preferred successor. Cepeda faces strong challenges from conservative candidate Paloma Valencia and right-wing political outsider Abelardo de la Espriella.
More than 41 million Colombians were eligible to vote, with polling stations opening at 8:00 a.m. local time and closing at 4:00 p.m. Early polling indicated that no candidate was likely to secure the outright majority required for a first-round victory, making a runoff election on June 21 increasingly likely.
Cepeda has campaigned on continuing Petro’s “Total Peace” strategy, which seeks negotiated settlements with armed groups involved in long-running conflicts and drug trafficking. However, critics argue the policy has failed to reduce violence, with several peace talks stalling or collapsing entirely.
According to the International Committee of the Red Cross, armed conflict in Colombia during the past year affected civilians at levels not seen in a decade. Security concerns have remained a dominant issue throughout the campaign.
Just hours before voting began, authorities relocated a polling station in the Cesar region following a drone attack on security forces that injured a soldier. In response to election-related security threats, Colombia’s defense ministry deployed approximately 408,000 soldiers and police officers nationwide.
Election observers have warned that more than a quarter of Colombia’s municipalities face some level of violence risk during the electoral process.
Both Valencia and de la Espriella have pledged tougher action against criminal organizations and armed groups. De la Espriella, a businessman and lawyer, has presented himself as a political outsider and admirer of leaders such as Javier Milei and Nayib Bukele. He has promised an “iron fist” approach to crime and campaigned on restoring closer security ties with Washington.
Valencia, meanwhile, has combined a strong security platform with proposals to reduce government spending, eliminate wealth taxes, and expand access to government-backed loans for entrepreneurs. She has frequently appeared alongside former President Álvaro Uribe during campaign events.
The election has unfolded under the shadow of political violence. Presidential candidate Miguel Uribe was fatally shot last year, intensifying concerns about security and political stability.
Relations with the United States have become a major campaign issue. While both de la Espriella and Valencia advocate strengthening ties with Washington, Cepeda has echoed Petro’s position that Colombia should maintain greater independence and avoid becoming what he describes as a “vassal state” of the U.S.
Drug trafficking remains a central point of contention. Trump has repeatedly accused Petro of failing to curb cocaine production, while Petro argues his administration has achieved record drug seizures. The debate intensified after the United Nations reported record cocaine production levels in Colombia in its 2025 assessment, a methodology Petro has publicly challenged.
Despite sharp disagreements, relations between Trump and Petro appeared to improve following a meeting at the White House earlier this year, where both leaders signaled a willingness to cooperate.
The final outcome of the election is expected to determine not only Colombia’s future political direction but also its approach to security, anti-drug efforts, and international alliances across the Americas.