The candidate, Abelardo de la Espriella, will face a senator from the left-wing party of the outgoing president, Gustavo Petro, in a June runoff.

The Democrats have already taken a hit in the polls even two years before the 2028 presidential election. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has gained significant support compared to the previous poll and is now virtually tied with presumptive GOP nominee JD Vance at 35%,

Celebrity lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella unexpectedly topped the first round of Colombia’s presidential vote, as Latin America heads into another highly polarized election.