Abelardo De La Espriella is leading Colombia's presidential race after securing 43.73% [1] of the vote in the first round.
The result signals a potential shift toward hardline security policies in a country long defined by internal conflict and peace negotiations. De La Espriella, a millionaire lawyer and businessman, has branded himself as an outsider promising to govern with an "iron-hand" approach to economics and crime.
In statements made on 11 February 2026 [2], De La Espriella said he pledged to abandon existing peace frameworks. He said that current peace plans empower gangs and drug traffickers rather than dismantling them.
"In my government, there will be no peace processes," De La Espriella said [3].
He further promised a shift toward aggressive military action to restore national security and stimulate economic growth. "If I win the elections I will launch a military offensive," he said [3].
De La Espriella faced a close contest in the initial vote. Iván Cepeda took second place with 40.91% [1] of the vote share. The two candidates will now face each other in a runoff election scheduled for 21 June 2026 [1].
His rise to prominence was preceded by mixed data regarding voter preferences. While some reports noted that local laws limiting voter intention polls made preferences difficult to track [2], an Atlas-Intel poll conducted between 27 January and 4 February 2026 showed De La Espriella in the lead [4].
His platform focuses on the belief that a military offensive is the only viable path to reviving the economy, a stance that contrasts sharply with the negotiated settlements of previous administrations.
“"In my government, there will be no peace processes."”
The potential victory of De La Espriella represents a pivot away from the 'Total Peace' strategy favored by recent Colombian leadership. By prioritizing military offensives over negotiated settlements, a De La Espriella presidency would likely increase state confrontation with armed groups, potentially altering the security landscape and diplomatic relations with international partners who have supported the peace process.
