Colombians went to the polls on Sunday to decide their next president in a runoff election that pits right-wing lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella against leftist Senator Ivan Cepeda. With voter turnout expected among 41 million eligible citizens, the contest will determine whether Colombia maintains its current leftist trajectory or shifts towards the right amid ongoing security challenges and economic concerns.

De la Espriella, 47, a dual US-Colombian national and political newcomer, leads the right-wing camp. He secured 43% of the vote in the May first round and carries the endorsement of former U.S. President Donald Trump. Branding himself “The Tiger,” he advocates for a tough military approach against drug-running guerrilla groups that rejected the 2016 peace accord, promising to end peace negotiations and launch an extensive offensive against armed factions. His platform includes lowering taxes, reducing the size of the state by up to 40%, and expanding Colombia’s oil and gas industry, though he has pledged to maintain some of the current government’s popular social policies, such as a recent minimum wage increase.

In contrast, 63-year-old Cepeda seeks to continue the reforms initiated by current President Gustavo Petro, Colombia’s first leftist leader and a former rebel. Cepeda supports Petro’s social programs, which focus on poverty alleviation through state pension payments, labor reforms favored by unions, and environmental protections such as a pause on new oil projects. He also backs ongoing but faltering peace talks with armed groups that have been engaged in conflict with the state for decades.

The campaign has been overshadowed by a surge in violence including guerrilla attacks and the assassination of a major conservative candidate, reflecting deep security concerns. While de la Espriella blames the economic and security crisis on the Petro administration and accuses its supporters of aligning with criminal elements, the government maintains that it has increased cocaine seizures to historic levels. Cepeda denies the allegations of complicity with armed groups.

The election comes amid a broader regional trend, where voters in several Latin American countries—including Chile, Argentina, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Bolivia—have recently favored right-leaning candidates, often motivated by frustration over crime and economic instability. Analysts predict a closely contested race in Colombia, where a divided Congress and high public debt may constrain either candidate’s ability to implement sweeping reforms.

As Colombians weigh these contrasting visions for the country’s future, the outcome will have significant implications for the peace process, relations with the United States, and efforts to address the intertwined challenges of security and economic growth.