Colombia votes as Petro ally faces pro-Trump rivals over peace

Colombians are casting ballots in the first round of the presidential election, choosing between candidates with sharply different visions for peace. The vote is seen as a referendum on outgoing President Gustavo Petro’s policies and comes 10 years after Colombia signed a historic peace pact with guerrillas of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc).

Violence has surged since then: criminal groups have launched drone strikes, armed attacks have marred the race, and last June presidential hopeful Miguel Uribe Turbay, 39, was fatally shot at a political rally. Fourteen candidates appear on the ballot, but the contest has effectively narrowed to three.

Senator Iván Cepeda, a Petro ally and veteran peace-builder, has led polls and pledges to continue Petro’s “total peace” initiative, negotiating with remaining rebel groups and signing agreements to try to resolve the persistent crisis.

Colombia

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