Cepeda seeks presidency to continue 'great transformations' in Colombia

Iván Cepeda, the left-wing candidate for Colombia's presidency, expressed his determination to win the upcoming June 21 runoff election. Speaking at his final campaign rally in Bogotá, Cepeda stated his intention to continue pursuing "great transformations" for the country if elected.

"Having won the presidency, having won the government, we will continue building the great historical transformations that Colombia requires and we will defeat the far-right and its project of death in our country," Cepeda declared to a large crowd gathered in Bogotá.

In the first round of elections on May 31, the far-right candidate Abelardo de la Espriella secured 10.3 million votes (43.74%), while Cepeda garnered 9.7 million votes (40.90%). However, recent polls indicate a shift in momentum.

Two opinion polls released on Saturday show De la Espriella with a significant lead. A Guarumo and Ecoanalítica survey for El Tiempo newspaper places De la Espriella at 52.6% and Cepeda at 45%, a difference of 7.6 percentage points. Another poll by AtlasIntel for Semana magazine reports similar figures, with De la Espriella at 50.9% and Cepeda at 43.1%, a 7.8-point gap.

During the rally, supporters chanted "It is lived, it is felt, Cepeda president." Cepeda responded by emphasizing the strength of his movement, stating, "We are an incontrovertible force integrated by the best of the Colombian people... Our strength lies in our trust in the people."

The campaign has seen controversy over the use of the Colombian national football team's jersey. Following the first round, a judge ordered De la Espriella's campaign to cease using the jersey in campaign events. Another ruling, later suspended by the Supreme Court, required De la Espriella to remove campaign propaganda featuring national symbols like the flag and military imagery.

Cepeda criticized this approach, stating, "The vote we will cast on June 21 is essential for the future of the homeland. The homeland is our concept, not that of the so-called 'Defenders of the homeland,' who are traitors to the homeland." He also praised outgoing President Gustavo Petro, calling his administration the "first social government" Colombia has had, prioritizing the needs of the poor and historically excluded communities.