What's at stake as Colombians choose between Trump-like populist and leftist former guerrilla for president

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The Conversation US
By Agustin Lao Montes

Colombians will decide their next president on June 19, 2022, with a choice between two candidates promising change. But what they mean by change is very, very different.

The two runoff contenders one a left-wing senator and former guerrilla, the other a right-wing populist in the mold of Donald Trump hold views on the countrys past, present and future that are poles apart. Whoever wins will replace Ivan Duque, an establishment conservative who has served as president since 2018.

As a scholar of Latin American politics, I see this election as a pivotal moment for Colombia. The outcome could determine whether the country deepens its commitment to democracy or alternatively cultivates authoritarian tendencies in society and politics. And it comes at a sensitive time. Whoever wins the presidency will inherit a host of challenges, from shoring up the fragile peace deal that in 2016 committed to end a decadeslong conflict, to combating rampant inequality, widespread violence and the regions migration crisis.

From Historic Pact to historic victory?

The runoff follows a first-round vote on May 29 that narrowed the presidential choice to two from a field of six. The race is now between Gustavo Petro, who heads the Historic Pact a left-center coalition and Rodolfo Hernandez, a controversial businessman and former mayor, running for the League of Anti-corrupt Governors Party.

Presidential candidate Rodolfo Hernandez is seen as the Colombian Trump. Photo by Raul Arboleda/AFP via Getty Images

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