4 hours agoColombia votes today for new president, results determine US report
Periskopi(a month ago)
(a month ago)Columbia citizens today addressed polling stations to elect the country's new president, in an election process considered crucial to the political, economic and security of the Latin-American state.
Elections are being held in a tense political climate, after months of verbal clashes and public accusations between current leftist President Gustavo Petro and US President Donald Trump, reports BBC,Kloncosova broadcast. tv.
Disagreements between the two leaders have focused mainly on the fight against drug trafficking, regional security, and the role of the United States in Latin America.
According to the Columbia Constitution, Petro has no right to run for a second term in a row.
He has given his support to candidate Ivan Cepeda, who aims to continue current administration policies.
Facing him in the race are right-wing candidate Abelarddo de la Espriella and conservative senator Paloma Valencia, who promise a tougher approach to criminal groups and drug trafficking organisations.
As polling stations opened at 8: 00 a.m., President Petros addressed his supporters in the capital Bogota, stating that Sunday's “vote will determine the direction of Colombia” and the country's “surplus for the coming years”.
The voting process will last until 1600 local time, while preliminary results are expected to be published shortly after the closure of polling stations.
Recent polls show Ivan Cepeda enjoys the greatest support among candidates, while Abelardo de la Espriella is considered his main rival.
However, no candidate is expected to secure the absolute majority of votes, which makes the development of a runoff very possible on 21 June.
The whole country's attention has already focused on the ballot boxes, while the election outcome is expected to determine not only the future head of Colombia but also the state's political and diplomatic course for years to come.
