Topic analysis

Colombia: Presidential race overshadowed by rising violence

Colombia's first-round presidential election on May 31, 2026, is overshadowed by escalating violence including attacks on candidates like ruling party Senator Alexander Lopez, assassinations, and bombings linked to dissident FARC groups and drug-trafficking armed factions. Leading candidates are deeply divided on addressing the conflict: frontrunner Ivan Cepeda (44.3% support) vows to continue peace talks aligned with outgoing President Gustavo Petro's policy, while conservatives Abelardo de la Espriella and Paloma Valencia push for military offensives, even as dissident FARC branches and ELN rebels have announced separate ceasefires ahead of the poll.