Abelardo de la Espriella said he is willing to debate presidential candidate Iván Cepeda provided specific conditions regarding format and participants are met [1, 2].
This standoff occurs as both candidates vie for undecided voters ahead of the second-round presidential vote. The outcome of this runoff will determine the next leader of Colombia, making the visibility and tone of the final campaign stretch critical for both tickets.
Cepeda requested a televised debate to discuss the upcoming runoff, directing the proposal to Colombian broadcasters Caracol Televisión, RCN, and RTVC [1, 2]. De la Espriella said he is willing to participate but emphasized that the debate must adhere to his criteria for the format and the inclusion of vice-presidential formulas [1, 2].
Reports on the candidates' willingness to engage have varied. Some sources indicate Cepeda is actively requesting the debate, while other reports from earlier this month suggest Cepeda had rejected a debate for June 9 [2, 3].
Regarding the nature of his opponent, Cepeda said, "Él está acostumbrado a jugar y actuar sin reglas" [3]. This translates to an assertion that De la Espriella is accustomed to playing and acting without rules.
The tension between the two candidates comes at a pivotal moment in the electoral calendar. The second-round presidential vote is scheduled for June 9, 2026 [3]. With only a few days remaining before the polls open, the candidates are struggling to agree on a neutral platform for a final public confrontation.
De la Espriella has not yet agreed to a specific date or a specific set of moderators, focusing instead on the structural requirements of the event [1, 2]. The broadcasters involved have not yet announced a finalized schedule that satisfies both campaigns.
“"Él está acostumbrado a jugar y actuar sin reglas"”
The disagreement over debate terms suggests a strategic attempt by both candidates to control the narrative and the environment of the final encounter. By setting conditions on vice-presidential participation and format, De la Espriella is attempting to frame the debate on his own terms, while Cepeda's public request puts pressure on his opponent to appear avoidant of public scrutiny just days before the June 9 runoff.
