BOGOTA, Colombia — Colombia’s presidential runoff election concluded with a narrow lead for political newcomer Abelardo de la Espriella over progressive lawmaker Iván Cepeda, according to nearly complete vote counts released Sunday. With 99.9% of the votes tallied, de la Espriella held approximately 49.7% support compared to Cepeda’s 48.7%, though election authorities have yet to formally declare a winner.

The contest, held amid widespread concern over the potential resurgence of Colombia’s decades-long internal conflict, pitted two starkly different visions for the country’s future. De la Espriella, a businessman and lawyer endorsed by former U.S. President Donald Trump despite having no prior political experience, advocates a tough security approach modeled after Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele. This strategy includes promises to crack down on crime and build large-scale prisons to curb violence, which has escalated in recent years with rising homicides and extortion cases linked to illegal armed groups and drug traffickers.

In contrast, Iván Cepeda, an ally and protégé of outgoing President Gustavo Petro—the nation’s first leftist leader—intends to continue Petro’s attempt to negotiate peace with guerrilla factions and criminal gangs. Cepeda supports maintaining Petro’s signature “total peace” plan, a strategy launched in 2022 aimed at disarming and reintegrating illegal armed members into civilian life, although results have been limited so far.

The election took place against a backdrop of growing insecurity. Last year, Colombia experienced its highest recorded homicide rate since 2015, and extortion cases more than doubled over the past decade. These issues intensified after the 2016 peace deal between the government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), once a dominant rebel group, but other armed organizations shifted their focus to narcotrafficking, fueling persistent violence.

Public sentiment appeared sharply divided. Supporters of de la Espriella took to the streets in Bogota with chants of “Petro out!” and displayed the Colombian national soccer jersey, a symbol closely associated with de la Espriella's campaign, drawing both support and criticism. Voters like 49-year-old Yolanda Hernández, who previously backed Petro, cited frustrations with the current administration’s inability to reduce costs of living or adequately address poverty.

Petro and Cepeda have raised concerns about the election results. Before votes were fully tallied, Petro threatened to challenge the outcome, alleging foreign interference and possible irregularities, though no evidence has been presented. Cepeda’s campaign also announced plans to contest results from over 30,000 voting stations. Historically, Colombia has never overturned a presidential election through a recount.

More than 41 million Colombians were eligible to cast ballots in the runoff, which followed a first round on May 31 where de la Espriella narrowly led Cepeda 44% to 41%. Analysts and voters described the election as one of the most consequential in Colombia’s recent history, underscored by fears over the nation’s ongoing struggles with violence, drug trafficking, and political polarization. The awaited official declaration will determine whether Colombia pursues a security-heavy crackdown or continues with attempts at negotiated peace under left-leaning leadership.