Colombian Senator Iván Cepeda (Historic Pact), the left-wing presidential candidate leading polling intentions, stated at a Friday (22) rally in Bogotá his goal of winning the May 31 elections in the first round. To achieve this, he needs over 50% of valid votes — otherwise, he will face the second-place candidate in a June 21 runoff. ✓
Press quotes (1)
"In the May 31 first round, a candidate needs more than 50 percent of the vote to win outright. Otherwise, a runoff will be held on June 21 between the two top vote-getters."
Cepeda, 63, has served as senator since 2014 and secured the Historic Pact's presidential nomination — the party of current President Gustavo Petro — after winning internal primaries in October 2025 with 65% of votes. His vice-presidential running mate is Aída Quilcué, an indigenous woman from the Nasa people. The candidate competes mainly against Abelardo de la Espriella (far-right, Defenders of the Homeland) and Paloma Valencia (center-right, Democratic Center). ✓
Press quotes (2)
"In October 2025, he won the party's internal primary with 65% of the vote, defeating former health minister Carolina Corcho."
"The left's Iván Cepeda, the right's Abelardo de la Espriella, and the center-right's Paloma Valencia are battling to win the May 31 election"
In a speech titled "for the good of all, the poor first," Cepeda promised to "eliminate poverty, overcome social inequality, end hunger and unemployment." The candidate claimed to have held 117 public events nationwide, gathering over 650,000 people. His campaign closing is scheduled for Sunday (25) in Barranquilla. ✓
Press quotes (2)
"Nosso programa visa construir oportunidades e prosperidade para toda a nação, busca eliminar a pobreza, superar a desigualdade social, acabar com a fome e o desemprego"
"Cepeda destacou ter realizado 117 eventos públicos em todo o país, reunindo mais de 650.000 pessoas em praças e avenidas de cidades e municípios"
The Plaza de Bolívar event featured support from former liberal president Ernesto Samper, who declared: "I come, in my capacity as former liberal president, to ask all liberals in Colombia to vote for Iván Cepeda and Aída Quilcué because we want peace and not war." Cepeda claimed an "Alliance for Life" that, according to him, integrates "progressives, liberals and reformists from across the political spectrum." ✓
Press quotes (2)
"Venho, em minha qualidade de ex-presidente liberal, pedir a todos os liberais da Colômbia que votem em Iván Cepeda e Aída Quilcué porque queremos paz e não guerra; que os programas sociais continuem"
"Cepeda reivindicou a "Aliança pela Vida", uma coalizão que, explicou, integra "progressistas, liberais e reformistas de todo o espectro político""
Cepeda held a rally at Plaza de Bolívar on May 22 as his last event in Bogotá before the elections
Covered by only some sources, or where the accounts diverge.
Covered by only some sources (1)
Cepeda harshly criticized former president Álvaro Uribe during the campaign
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What is Cepeda's polling margin and when were the surveys conducted?
Why it's still unknown: Sources state he leads but don't specify percentage numbers or dates of most recent polls
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How many candidates are officially registered for the presidential election?
Why it's still unknown: Sources mention main competitors but not the total number of registered candidates
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What is Cepeda's electoral history in previous elections?
Why it's still unknown: While mentioning his trajectory as senator, they don't detail his performance in past elections