Far-right newcomer Abelardo de la Espriella and left-wing Senator Ivan Cepeda have advanced to the runoff for Colombia's presidential election, scheduled for June 21. The two candidates emerged as the frontrunners after polls closed Sunday, surpassing expectations and ending the presidential aspirations of Senator Paloma Valencia, who was previously considered a leading contender.

With 99 percent of the votes tallied by Sunday afternoon, de la Espriella secured 43 percent of the ballots. Cepeda followed closely with 40 percent, falling short of the 50 percent threshold required to win outright in the first round. This result is expected to energize de la Espriella's campaign as it heads into the final match-up.

De la Espriella, a businessman and lawyer with no prior elected office experience, ran an "outsider" campaign that heavily emphasized public security concerns. His strategy drew comparisons to the successful "dark-horse" bid of Argentinian President Javier Milei. In contrast, Ivan Cepeda is a familiar figure in Colombian politics, having served as a senator since 2014 and previously in the Chamber of Deputies.

The election's focus on security reflects the deep-seated concerns within Colombia, particularly in light of the nation's protracted internal conflict. De la Espriella's outsider appeal, coupled with his focus on crime, appears to have resonated with a significant portion of the electorate, challenging Cepeda's consistent lead in pre-election opinion polls.

Cepeda's political career has been marked by significant events, including a public dispute with former right-wing President Alvaro Uribe. Cepeda accused Uribe of complicity with right-wing paramilitaries, leading to a defamation lawsuit. However, the Supreme Court ultimately investigated Uribe for witness tampering, though a subsequent appeals court overturned the verdict due to procedural issues and insufficient evidence.

Before Sunday's vote, a May 24 poll by the National Consulting Centre (CNC) indicated Cepeda held a slight lead with over 33 percent support, compared to de la Espriella's 30.9 percent. The close result in the first round suggests a competitive runoff is imminent.

The six-decade-long internal conflict in Colombia remains a central issue shaping the country's political landscape. The ongoing presence of criminal networks and armed groups continues to fuel public anxiety about safety and stability, a concern that de la Espriella effectively leveraged in his campaign.

As the candidates prepare for the June 21 runoff, the election will likely center on contrasting visions for Colombia's future, with security, economic policy, and the legacy of the nation's internal conflict expected to be key themes.