Polls in Colombia will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (local time) for the more than 40 million citizens registered to vote in the country. An additional 1,420,000 Colombians living abroad are eligible to cast their ballots in 67 countries. After voting in Barranquilla, De la Espriella predicted “we are going to defeat the regime” — referring to Gustavo Petro’s ruling party — and repeated the gestures and slogans of his aggressive campaign. After casting his ballot in Bogotá, Cepeda called for “democratic
behavior” and urged Colombians to “build a future that we want to be shared.” In the first round, which saw a turnout of 57.88%, De la Espriella (Defensores de la Patria) received 10.3 million votes (43.78%), edging out Cepeda (Pacto Histórico), who tallied 9.7 million (40.98%). The Caribbean coast, the urban vote, and abstentionist voters could be decisive factors in Colombia’s runoff, which will also closely watch the youth vote.
Colombia presidential runoff, De la Espriella, Cepeda, Gustavo Petro, voting turnout, Barranquilla, Bogotá, 67 countries, youth vote, Caribbean coast