Iván Cepeda, a left-wing senator and presidential candidate, concluded his campaign activities after the first-round presidential election closed on May 31, 2026 [1].

The conclusion of these activities marks a critical transition for Colombia as the country moves into the result-counting phase to determine who will advance to the final stage of the presidential race.

Cepeda held public events in several major urban centers to mark the end of the voting process. He spoke to supporters in public squares across Barranquilla, Medellín, and Bogotá [1]. These gatherings served as the final touchpoints for his campaign before the official tally of votes began.

Polling data leading up to the election showed varying levels of support for the candidates. One report indicated that Cepeda's polling support was approximately 33% of voters [2]. However, other reports suggested a tightening race, noting that candidate Paloma Valencia had moved ahead of Abelardo de la Espriella and was closing the gap with Cepeda [3].

The political landscape remained volatile up until the polls closed. While some scenario analyses suggested Cepeda was the frontrunner [2], other assessments explored possibilities in which he could lose the election [2].

Cepeda's final public appearances were designed to maintain momentum and ensure supporter engagement during the counting period. The events in Bogotá and Medellín mirrored the scale of the gathering in Barranquilla, reflecting the candidate's national reach across the three most influential cities in the country [1].

“Iván Cepeda concluded his campaign activities and spoke publicly after the voting closed.”

The transition from active campaigning to the counting phase is a period of high tension in Colombian politics. With polling showing a competitive race between Cepeda and right-leaning candidates like Paloma Valencia, the official results will determine whether the country shifts further toward the left or maintains a more centrist or conservative trajectory in the second round.