Colombian right-wing outsider Abelardo de la Espriella is poised to compete in a runoff in the country's presidential race against leftist senator Ivan Cepeda, after no candidate reached the more than 50% support needed to avoid a second round.
With a majority of votes counted nationwide, De La Espriella notched 44% support, while Cepeda secured 41%. De La Espriella, a 47-year-old lawyer and businessman, has never held elected office but has proposed a tough offensive against illegal armed groups and poverty reduction through better education, healthcare and housing for the poorest.
Cepeda, a 63-year-old lawmaker, has promised to pursue peace with illegal armed groups through negotiations and deepen reforms to reduce inequality and poverty, including raising taxes on high earners and expanding healthcare coverage.
De La Espriella has warned that Cepeda would ensure the continuation of President Gustavo Petro's economic policies, including a ban on new oil projects. The lawyer claims to have financed his campaign with his own resources, but Reuters could not independently verify that claim.
