Colombia's first-round presidential vote Sunday triggered a runoff between a hardright pro-Trump showman and a leftist philosopher-turned-senator, after the bloodiest campaign in over a decade.

The electoral authority said rightwing hopeful Abelardo de la Espriella had won 44 percent of the vote, besting leftist Ivan Cepeda with 41 percent and a string of other candidates who trailed far behind.

Read moreColombia's election: Meeting the Presidential contenders

It was a stronger-than-expected showing for 47-year-old De la Espriella -- a proTrump businessman-come-lawyer-and-singer who calls himself "The Tiger" and has billed himself as a political outsider.

Colombia's presidential candidate from the ruling party Pacto Historico, Ivan Cepeda, speaks beside Senator Maria Jose Pizarro after voting at a polling station during the presidential election in Bogota on May 31, 2026.

He campaigned behind bulletproof glass and vowed a "shock plan" to confront armed groups in the air, on land and at sea, mimicking iron-fist talk that has swept the right to power acrossLatin America.

"We'll start immediately with the bombing of narco-terrorist camps," he told AFP in an interview during the campaign.

It was a message that appears to have resonated with voters rattled by a spate of car bombs, drone attacks and the assassination of a leading presidential candidate.

But De la Espriella failed to garner the 50 percent needed to avoid a June 21 runoff.

He will now face Cepeda, who has vowed to continue efforts to negotiatepeacewith dissident armed groups that dominate globalcocaineproduction.

In the decade since a landmark peace accord was signed with the once powerfulFARCrebel army, Colombia has thrived. But pockets of the country are still under the grip of armed groups vying for control of cocaine routes, illegalgoldminingand extortion.

Read moreColombia votes in presidential election pitting Petro allies against pro-Trump candidates

Outgoing PresidentGustavo Petrochampioned a "total peace" strategy of negotiating with guerrillas and other such drugtrafficking groups.

Critics say Petro's strategy has given criminal groups free rein, fueling violence and record cocaine exports.

Polling station officials count ballots at a polling station during the presidential election in Cali, Colombia, on May 31, 2026.

"This government really strengthened armed groups by being so soft," said Catalina Devia, a 42yearold advertising executive and mother of two who voted for De la Espriella.

"Many Colombians are thinking about emigrating," she said.

A soldier stands guard atop an armoured personnel carrier (APC) along the Pan-American Highway during the presidential election in Santander de Quilichao, Colombia, on May 31, 2026.

Cepeda, 63, is the son of a leftist senator killed by rightwing paramilitaries.

He is backed by President Petro, who is constitutionally barred from reelection, and draws support from voters who credit the government with helping the poor.

Supporters point to higher minimum wages, increased education spending and land transfers to poor communities.

There was disappointment among Cepeda supporters that he came in second.

"It leaves a bad taste" said 42-year-old cafe worker Andres Alba. "It's not anger, but it does leave a bad taste."

Gloria Terranova, a 59-year-old coffee shop owner, said she held out hope that Cepeda might still win the presidency despite finishing second in the first round.

"Right now we are at radical extremes: one side wants peace, the other wants war," she said.

But some voters expressed unease with the stark and polarized choice they now face.

"My vote is not guided by what I want, but what I fear the most," said Julian, a 37yearold project manager. "I'm going to vote for the less worse candidate."

Despite worsening violence in rebelheld areas, election day itself passed calmly.

Authorities deployed more than 400,000 police and soldiers nationwide to protect polling stations.

Whoever replaces Petro will face a web of armed groups engaged indrug trafficking, illegal mining and extortion.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)

Originally published on France24