How Ivan Cepeda appeared before the presidential elections in Colombia | Election News

‘It won’t be easy’

For now, Cepeda isn’t saying much about how to change the strategy.

But since the first vote, Cepeda has tried to improve his platform and distance himself from Petro, and tried to court the voters who did not choose. For example, he strongly opposes the “Total Peace” plan.

In a recent interview with Caracol Radio, Cepeda said that, as president, he would refuse to negotiate with armed groups that attack civilians and civil society leaders.

“The principle of (Total Peace) was flawed, flawed and flawed, and it should be re-evaluated,” Cepeda said.

He has also abandoned controversial proposals to change Colombia’s constitution to introduce social reform, an idea that Petro has been pursuing since 2024.

But so far, Cepeda’s efforts have won the approval of his most conservative politicians.

Claudia Lopez, the mediator who finished fifth in the first round of voting, has endorsed her publicly, but her rival has announced that she will support De La Espriella in the final. Sergio Fajardo, who finished third, refused to accept anyone.

“It has been difficult for Cepeda because (the change in his platform) has made him disagree with President Petro’s rhetoric and positions, which he led in the first campaign,” Basset said.

Cepeda’s sudden change would be “too late to be seen as credible”, he added.

Basset also said that Cepeda’s camp had made little effort to court politicians who had challenged Petro’s leadership before the first round of voting.

As a result, he now has few options to increase his support, who are interested in joining the campaign.

There have been political differences in terms of building alliances with other political groups,” said Basset. “Cepeda joined Petro’s political space, but the base alone is not enough to win the elections, and I think the left realized it too late.”

According to a political analyst, de la Espriella will enter Sunday’s election with an advantage, having managed to unite the majority of the political right behind him.

Paloma Valencia, the far-right candidate who finished third in the first round of voting, publicly endorsed de la Espriella, with her supporters expected to back her.

But Basset refuses to count Cepeda out. The left-wing candidate is trailing de la Espriella in recent polls, but Cepeda could benefit from a large turnout in urban and rural areas where left-wing support remains strong.

“Cepeda’s advantage may be that the left has a more effective organization than Abelardo de la Espriella,” Basset said.

“It means they can still change the situation, but it won’t be easy.”