Colombia Presidential Candidates Shift to Digital Strategies for Runoff

Presidential candidates Iván Cepeda and Abelardo de la Espriella are shifting their campaign strategies to digital platforms for the final stretch of the election.

This pivot occurs because legal restrictions now prohibit the publication of opinion polls and the holding of outdoor campaign events. With traditional rallies banned, the candidates must rely on social media and paid advertising to reach undecided voters before the runoff.

The runoff election took place on 14 June 2026 ^[1]. This followed a first-round election on 31 May 2026 ^[2]. Following that initial vote, Abelardo de la Espriella held a lead of more than 600,000 votes ^[3].

Because of the restrictions on public gatherings, both candidates have intensified their presence on social media. They have also increased spending on paid media advertising to maintain visibility. This digital push is particularly critical because no presidential debate will be held during this final period ^[4].

The absence of a formal debate has created a vacuum in direct confrontation between the two candidates. While Iván Cepeda previously challenged Abelardo de la Espriella to a debate and set specific conditions for the event ^[5], those efforts did not result in a scheduled televised encounter.

Economic platforms have also remained a focal point of the race. Analysis of the candidates' economic proposals occurred less than three weeks before the runoff ^[6]. With the window for public discourse closing, the candidates are using targeted online content to distill these complex policy positions for the electorate.

The shift to a virtual campaign environment highlights the growing influence of digital media in Colombian politics. By moving away from the traditional "plaza" style of campaigning, where candidates speak to large crowds in public squares, the campaigns are now optimizing for algorithms and screen time.