Colombia votes to determine political direction after Petro’s term

Colombians opened polling stations on 31 May 2026 to elect the successor to outgoing President Gustavo Petro, who is term-limited and barred from seeking re-election. The election represents a critical juncture for the South American nation, determining the political trajectory following Petro’s historic victory four years ago, which marked the first time a reformist left-wing candidate assumed the presidency.

The contest features a field of 14 candidates, though the race has largely centred on two primary contenders. Left-wing Senator Ivan Cepeda, a close ally of Petro, is positioned to retain the reformist agenda. He faces a hard-line right-wing candidate who is campaigning on a platform of greater security in response to escalating violence by armed groups.

Approximately 41.4 million Colombians were eligible to vote in the first round, a figure that includes 1.4 million citizens living abroad. The high stakes of the election are underscored by the polarised nature of the debate, with voters choosing between continuity of the current administration’s policies and a shift toward stricter security measures.

According to polling data, Cepeda was leading in the first round. However, these figures reflect pre-election or early voting sentiment rather than final certified results. The outcome is likely to proceed as a first round, though a second round may be required if no candidate achieves an outright majority, a scenario that remains to be confirmed by official results.

France 24 is providing live coverage of the event, with its team broadcasting from Bogotá and its studios in Paris. The election results will define the governance structure of Colombia as it navigates the transition from Petro’s administration to a new leadership term.