Voters lined up at a polling station in Medellin, Colombia, during the first round of Sunday’s presidential election. Credit … Camacho / Reuters forehead
Colombians call this the most consistent election in decades.
On Sunday, the third largest nation in Latin America is heading to the polls to elect a new president. At stake is the country’s economic model, its democratic integrity and the livelihoods of millions of people plunged into poverty amid the pandemic.
“One is always inclined to say, ‘This is the most important election there has ever been,'” said Elizabeth Ungar, a longtime Colombian political analyst.
Polls show that Gustavo Petro, a senator and former member of a rebel group, is leading against two right-wing former mayors, Federico Gutierrez and Rodolfo Hernandez. If no candidate receives more than 50 percent, a run-off will be held on June 19 between the first two graduates.
If Mr Petro wins, he will become Colombia’s first left-wing president, marking a turning point in a nation long ruled by a conservative establishment.
Its rise reflects not only left-wing change in Latin America, but also jealousy of the incumbent as the pandemic deepens poverty and inequality, reinforcing feelings that the region’s economies are built primarily to serve the elite.
“We believe in real political and social change,” said Diego Guzman, 25, a student who described his vote for Mr Petro as a rejection of the “dominant political class”.
Mr Petro vowed to transform Colombia’s economic system, which he said fueled inequality, by expanding social programs, halting oil exploration and shifting the country’s focus to local agriculture and industry.
Colombia has long been the United States’ strongest ally in the region, and Mr Petro has called for a restart of relations, including changes in the approach to the drug war and a revision of a bilateral trade agreement that could lead to a clash with Washington.
Mr Gutierrez, who is backed by much of the Conservative government, has called for modest adjustments to the status quo, including directing more money to local authorities.
Mr Hernandez, who was relatively unknown before rising in opinion polls in the last days of the campaign, is pushing a populist anti-corruption platform, but has raised concerns about his plan to declare a state of emergency to achieve his goals.
Many voters are fed up with rising prices, high unemployment, low wages, rising education spending and rising violence, and polls show that a clear majority of Colombians have a negative view of incumbent President Ivan Duque, who is largely considered part of from a conservative establishment.
However, some Colombians say they see the vote on Mr Petro as a risk, but one they are willing to take. “It scares me more that we continue to be ruled by the same old politicians,” said Helena Osorio, 25, a nurse who earns just above the minimum wage.
Not everyone agrees. Juan Sebastian Rey, 21, a political organizer who supports Mr Gutierrez, said he considered Mr Petro a bad leader.
“I am very afraid of Gustavo Petro, not because of his government plans or ideas, but because of his character.
Elections come when polls show growing distrust of the country’s institutions, including the country’s national registrar, an electoral body. The registrar confused the initial count in a congressional vote in March, leading to fears that losing presidential candidates would declare fraud.
The country is also witnessing an increase in violence, which is undermining the democratic process. The local election observation mission called this election period the most violent in 12 years.
Mr Petro and his candidate, France Marquez, have received death threats, which have led to heightened security, including bodyguards holding riot shields.
Despite these dangers, the election has encouraged many Colombians, who have long believed that their votes are not represented at the highest levels of government, giving the election a sense of hope. This sense of optimism is partly inspired by Ms. Marquez, a former housekeeper and environmental activist who would be the country’s first black vice president if she won her ticket.
Her campaign focuses on combating systemic injustice, and her most popular slogan, “vivir sabroso,” means “live richly and with dignity.”
The report was provided by Sofia Vilamil and Megan Janecki in Bogotá.
– Julie Tarkewitz Report from Bogota.
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