Colombia’s Presidential candidates wrapped up their campaigns on Sunday (May 24, 2026) with rallies that drew massive crowds, ​ahead of a May 31 vote that analysts predict will result ‌in weeks of heated and deeply polarising debate ahead of ​a June 21 runoff.

Leftist politician Ivan Cepeda, ⁠63, was a narrow front-runner in the final poll before the May 31 vote. The poll, however, predicted he would lose the June runoff against ‌either of his right-wing rivals. Earlier polls predicted he would win a second round.

Mr. Cepeda, who has pledged to ‌continue social reform policies begun under incumbent President Gustavo Petro, ‌faces ⁠criticisms for the incumbent’s so far failed policy of “total ⁠peace” through negotiations with illegal armed groups in the country.

Mr. Cepeda’s critics accuse him of having ties to leaders of the now-defunct FARC guerrilla group, whose dissident ​factions remain key players in ‌the now six-decade-long conflict that has involved right-wing paramilitaries, drug traffickers, and left more than 4,50,000 people dead.

Polling just behind Mr. Cepeda was Abelardo De La Espriella, 47, a businessman and lawyer who ‌has pledged tax cuts, investments in mining and energy and ​a military crackdown on illegal armed groups and drug trafficking.

Ms. De La Espriella also faces backlash over representing controversial ⁠clients, including businessman Alex Saab, accused of being a front man and financial operator for Venezuela’s ousted President Nicolas Maduro. Mr. Saab was ‌deported to the U.S. last week to face charges there.

Polling in a more distant third place was Paloma Valencia, 48, who wants to expand the armed forces, cut the size of government and reduce taxes. She is supported by former President Alvaro Uribe.

“We can expect a fear-mongering campaign focused on each candidate’s worst ‌attributes,” Sergio Guzman, director of consulting firm Colombia Risk Analysis, told Reuters.

Insults ​such as “corrupt, amoral, guerrillas, drug traffickers, and paramilitary sympathizers” are likely to dominate the electoral debate ahead of the ⁠runoff, Mr. Guzman said.

The next President will face the challenge of ⁠restoring security, improving the country’s fiscal situation, battling informal employment and reducing poverty and inequality.

Mr. Cepeda closed his campaign in the ‌Caribbean coastal city of Barranquilla, De La Espriella in Colombia’s second-biggest city and corporate hub Medellin, and Valencia in the ​capital Bogota.

Colombians head to the polls on Sunday (March 8, 2026) to elect a new Congress and select candidates from three major coalitions in a primary-style contest ahead of a presidential election this May.

The election unfolds under high alert for political violence across the South American country, particularly in rural regions dominated by illegal armed groups.

At the same time, President Gustavo Petro — the nation’s first left-leaning leader — has cast doubt on the country’s election software, pointing to the 2022 legislative elections, when his Historic Pact movement gained over 390,000 votes following a recount. He attributed this shift to the presence of election observers.

The European Union deployed 40 election observers in early February and said it intended to increase the size of the delegation for the upcoming congressional vote.

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More than 3,000 candidates are vying for 285 legislative positions — 102 in the Senate and 183 in the House of Representatives — with 41.2 million citizens eligible to cast their ballots.

Sunday’s (March 8, 2026) election is set to define the political landscape for Colombia’s next head of state.

Mr. Petro is ineligible for reelection because the constitution bars a sitting president from running for a consecutive second term.

Colombia’s current Congress approved Mr. Petro’s pension and labour overhaul, but rejected his proposed reforms to the health care and tax reforms, and there were often tensions between him and lawmakers.

Meanwhile, the right-wing opposition is looking to reclaim its status as a dominant political force. The Democratic Centre, the nation’s primary opposition party, continues to be guided by the influence of former President Álvaro Uribe, who is mobilising his base to secure a strong legislative presence ahead of the presidential vote.

Alongside the congressional vote, Colombians will vote to choose presidential candidates for the country’s three major political blocs: the centre, the centre-left, and the right. The winners of the three “inter-party consultations,” similar to American primary elections, will go on to compete in the presidential election, whose first round is set for May 31.

Presidential hopefuls have long used the primaries to gauge their support before entering the first round of voting. This strategy proved successful four years ago for Mr. Petro, who consolidated his base by winning the left-wing primary alongside Francia Marquez, who became his Vice President.

However, the two candidates currently leading in the polls — leftist Ivan Cepeda, from Mr. Petro’s party, and far-right Abelardo de la Espriella — are not participating in the primaries, which are optional.

Political analyst Gabriel Cifuentes said the primaries are a high-stakes gamble for the participants, noting that a victory on Sunday (March 8, 2026) is only meaningful if it demonstrates enough strength to compete with the leading candidates, such as Cepeda and de la Espriella.

More than 126,000 law enforcement officers are expected to be deployed across the country on Election Day.