Colombians weigh leftist reforms against right-wing crackdowns in presidential vote

Colombia is voting in the first round of a presidential election that looks likely to head to a June runoff since no one is expected to clear the 50% threshold.
Front‑runner Ivan Cepeda, a leftist senator and son of a murdered communist leader, is campaigning to expand peace talks, raise taxes on the wealthy, deepen social reforms and give land to conflict victims.
Main challengers include outsider businessman-lawyer Abelardo De La Espriella, pitching a tough security crackdown and Bukele‑style outsider image, and right‑wing senator Paloma Valencia, backed by ex‑president Uribe, who favors renewed oil exploration and business-friendly policies.