Colombia chooses President amid surge in guerrilla violence

Colombia's presidential election on May 31, 2026, is a critical juncture for the country, with voters deciding between continuing peace talks with armed groups and drug traffickers (advocated by left-wing candidate Ivan Cepeda) or adopting a hard-right military crackdown (proposed by Abelardo de la Espriella). The election serves as a referendum on outgoing President Gustavo Petro's "total peace" initiative, which critics argue inadvertently strengthened criminal organizations. The campaign was marred by violence, and the new president will face the challenge of addressing widespread guerrilla activity, drug trafficking, and illegal mining, with significant implications for regional stability and international relations.