Colombia will hold a presidential election on Sunday, with the contest shaped by a resurgence of political violence that has intensified in recent weeks. The vote will decide the successor to Gustavo Petro, as armed groups escalate attacks across the country.
The election reflects a broader struggle over how to address a conflict that has ravaged Colombia for decades, involving the army, paramilitaries, and dissidents of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc). Each candidate has put forward contradictory proposals for tackling the endemic violence.
The campaign has been marred by violence targeting journalists and activists. Mateo Pérez Rueda, a 24-year-old political science student and journalist for independent magazine El Confidente, was killed on May 4 while reporting on the conflict in Briceño, Antioquia.
Whoever wins will inherit a deeply polarized nation where peace remains elusive. The outcome could determine whether Colombia pursues negotiated settlements or hardline security measures, with implications for rural communities caught in the crossfire.
Some analysts warn that the security situation may further deteriorate after the vote, regardless of the winner, as armed groups seek to influence the outcome or exploit any transition period.