Cepeda, whose communist leader father was killed in a 1994 paramilitary attack, faces a divided right led by independent businessman Abelardo De La Espriella and Senator Paloma Valencia, who former president Alvaro Uribe backs. Both candidates are pro-Israel and have strong ties with the local Jewish community.<\/p>\n
Pledge to open Jerusalem embassy<\/p>\n
De La Espriella, a 47-year-old\u00a0political outsider\u00a0whose supporters call him \u201cThe Tiger,\u201d has centered his campaign on security, shrinking the state and reviving the economy. His proposals include an aggressive response to crime, drug trafficking and illegal armed groups, strengthening the armed forces and building mega-prisons. He plans to cut taxes and revive the mining and oil sectors.<\/p>\n
Last month, he promised to \u201crenew a strategic alliance with the State of Israel\u201d and \u201cdefend the Judeo-Christian principles that form the foundation of Western civilization.\u201d<\/p>\n
In a post on X hailing the Jewish community, De La Espriella added: \u201cIn my government, Colombia will take a clear step in its foreign policy: we will establish our embassy in Jerusalem and strengthen a direct, firm and strategic relationship with Israel.\u201d<\/p>\n
\t Valencia, 48, a lawyer and candidate for the right-wing Democratic Center party, has similarly emphasized\u00a0security and economic recovery. She has vowed to combat illegal armed groups, end Petro\u2019s efforts to negotiate peace deals, cut corporate taxes to boost employment and pursue reforms to healthcare, justice and pensions.<\/p>\n She chairs a congressional caucus advocating strong political, economic and cultural ties with Israel, has spearheaded condemnations of Petro\u2019s remarks and steps taken against Israel, has called the severing of ties \u201cirresponsibility and fanaticism,\u201d and has stressed the \u201cneed to work with Israel in cooperation on security, defense and trade.\u201d She has also fostered close ties with Colombian Jews.<\/p>\n However, her running mate Juan Daniel Oviedo takes a different view and has accused Israel of genocide in the war in Gaza, which began with Hamas\u2019s terror onslaught of October 7, 2023.<\/p>\n Centrist candidates in Sunday\u2019s election, including former Antioquia Governor Sergio Fajardo and former Bogota Mayor Claudia Lopez, have lagged in the polls compared to previous elections.<\/p>\n Surveys suggest it is unlikely any candidate will secure more than 50 percent of the vote on Sunday, meaning the top two finishers would advance to a runoff on June 21.<\/p>\n Whoever wins will face major challenges, including stabilizing public finances in Latin America\u2019s fourth-largest economy, reducing poverty, curbing violence linked to the internal conflict, and addressing social needs.<\/p>\n More than 41 million\u00a0Colombians are eligible to vote in polls that open at 8 a.m. local time (1300 GMT) and close eight hours later.<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t THIS MONTH ONLY: Join our reader support group for as little as $6\/month and receive an exclusive tote bag featuring one of Israel\u2019s native birds.<\/p>\n Choose between the\u00a0Duchifat (orange), Israel’s national bird, or the Shaldag (blue), a beloved symbol of the Israeli landscape.\u00a0<\/p>\n As a member of the Times of Israel Community,\u00a0you’ll also enjoy:<\/p>\n
\t\t\t
\t\t\t
\t\t\tAlready a member? Sign in to stop seeing this<\/a><\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t That\u2019s why we started the Times of Israel – to provide discerning readers like you with must-read coverage of Israel and the Jewish world.<\/p>\n So now we have a request. Unlike other news outlets, we haven\u2019t put up a paywall. But as the journalism we do is costly, we invite readers for whom The Times of Israel has become important to help support our work by joining The Times of Israel Community.<\/p>\n For as little as $6 a month you can help support our quality journalism while enjoying The Times of Israel AD-FREE, as well as accessing exclusive content available only to Times of Israel Community members.<\/p>\n Thank you, \t\t\t
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2025-02-16-082104-e1739687163626-640x400.png\")
<\/a>
\n\t\tColombian President Gustavo Petro holds a picture showing a Palestinian state on Israel\u2019s territory, during a visit to the Thumama Medical Center in Doha, Qatar, February 14, 2025. (Screen capture: X\/Gustavo Petro, used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\tWhich gorgeous bird do you prefer?\t\t\t<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1779049466_107_Untitled-design-3-200x200.png\" "\\"\\"\/")
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\nAn ad-free experience of our site and podcasts.
\nExclusive access to award-winning films via DocuNation.
\nWeekly letters from founding editor David Horovitz.
<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\tJoin ToI Community & claim my bag\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\tCLAIM YOUR BAG\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\tYou’re a dedicated reader\t\t\t<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/334x334-200x200.png\" "\\"\\"\/")
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
David Horovitz, Founding Editor of The Times of Israel<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\tJoin Our Community\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n