DistantNews
Support us
🇲🇽 Mexico /Elections & Politics

Colombian Candidates Close Campaigns with Massive Rallies, Seeking Undecided Votes

From El Universal · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • Three main presidential candidates in Colombia concluded their campaigns with large rallies, seeking to sway undecided voters before the May 31 election.
  • Polls indicate about 10% of voters are undecided, making these final rallies crucial for candidates like Iván Cepeda, Abelardo de la Espriella, and Paloma Valencia.
  • Candidates presented distinct visions, with Cepeda emphasizing social justice and equity, while De la Espriella focused on national unity and strength.

Colombian presidential hopefuls wrapped up their campaigns on Sunday with massive rallies, each vying to capture the crucial bloc of undecided voters ahead of the May 31 election. With approximately 10% of the electorate still making up their minds, according to recent polls, these final gatherings in cities like Barranquilla and Medellín could prove decisive.

I close my campaign here with joy, as I am a son of the Caribbean through my maternal roots and my Lebanese ancestors, roots of which I feel deep pride.

· Iván CepedaThe officialist candidate speaking at his rally in Barranquilla.

Senator Iván Cepeda, representing the ruling Pacto Histórico party, leads in the polls. He addressed thousands in Barranquilla, emphasizing his roots and promising a government focused on social justice and equity, mirroring the current administration of President Gustavo Petro. Cepeda characterized his ultraright opponent, Abelardo de la Espriella, as a "fascist option," asserting his campaign was built on grassroots support rather than flashy advertising.

Our government, like President Gustavo Petro's government, will be a new government of social justice and equity. Our second progressive government will have a profoundly human priority: to put the State at the service of those who have been excluded, forgotten, or discarded.

· Iván CepedaCepeda outlining his policy vision during his closing campaign rally.

Meanwhile, ultraright lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella rallied supporters in Medellín, a city known for its strong military presence. Surrounded by veterans, he spoke of a "awakened, triumphant, and roaring pack" ready to lead the nation. De la Espriella, often called 'El Tigre,' described his campaign as challenging and fraught with "grievances and mockery," and spoke from behind a protective bulletproof glass, a measure taken due to security concerns.

We are sealing a union. From Antioquia, we are going to tell all of Colombia: the pack has awakened, triumphed, and roared like never before in the history of the homeland.

· Abelardo de la EspriellaDe la Espriella addressing his supporters in Medellín.

Right-wing senator Paloma Valencia, from the Centro Democrático party, is also in contention and hopes to secure a spot in a potential second round of voting on June 21. The election aims to succeed current President Gustavo Petro, and the outcome among the undecided voters will be critical in determining the country's next leader.

It has been a hard and complex campaign, which has been full of grievances and mockery, even for protecting my life.

· Abelardo de la EspriellaDe la Espriella describing the nature of his presidential campaign.
About this summary

Originally published by El Universal in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

More Stories

From Our Blog