Presidential candidates Abelardo de la Espriella and Iván Cepeda concluded their campaign activities on June 14, 2026 [1].
The closure of these campaigns marks the final transition into the runoff election, where the winner will secure the presidency of Colombia. This second round was triggered after the first-round vote failed to produce a majority winner [3, 4].
Both candidates utilized the closing events to solidify their platforms and address the electorate nationwide. Cepeda used his closing day to defend his campaign's integrity and challenge his opponent. During these activities, Cepeda said, "No ha sido comprando votos" [2].
De la Espriella also wrapped up his activities on June 14, 2026 [1], as both men prepare for the final vote. The two candidates have spent the intervening period since the first round attempting to capture the undecided vote, and the supporters of candidates who were eliminated in the initial stage.
Under Colombian electoral law, the runoff is mandatory when no single candidate achieves an absolute majority in the first round [3, 4]. This process ensures the eventual president has a broader mandate from the voting population. The candidates are now entering a period of silence and preparation before the polls open again.
The runoff election is scheduled for June 21, 2026 [3]. Voters across Colombia will decide between the two remaining candidates to determine the next head of state.
“"No ha sido comprando votos"”
The transition from a multi-candidate field to a two-person runoff narrows the political discourse to the specific ideological divide between de la Espriella and Cepeda. With the campaigns officially closed, the focus shifts from active persuasion to voter turnout and the ability of each candidate to form coalitions with smaller parties that were defeated in the first round.
