Colombia counts votes in presidential runoff between ruling left and far-right contender backed by Trump

Colombia is counting votes Sunday to determine its next president, with a runoff election pitting the ruling left against a far-right candidate endorsed by Donald Trump. The choice is between Senator Iván Cepeda, an ally of the current president, and lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella, who has pledged a hardline approach to the nation's escalating drug cartel violence.

The country is grappling with its most severe period of violence in ten years. This surge is fueled by expanding illegal operations involved in cocaine and gold trafficking, occurring against the backdrop of a tense electoral process closely monitored by the United States.

Election authorities closed polling stations and began a preliminary count to reveal the winner. The outcome of this election will shape the nation's response to persistent security challenges and its future political direction.