Bogota, Colombia – With his mild-mannered appearance, Ivan Cepeda, a 63-year-old senator, seems an unlikely candidate for Colombia's highest office. Yet he has emerged as the new face of the country's increasingly powerful left wing, drawing crowds of young supporters at a surprise rally on June 3.

Cepeda, who announced his candidacy last August, will face far-right criminal defense lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella in Sunday's runoff. De la Espriella, backed by US President Donald Trump, has capitalized on security concerns, winning 43% of the vote in the first round despite lacking political experience.

Cepeda offers a radically different vision, focusing on social programs and agrarian reforms to reduce inequality. He promises continuity with outgoing President Gustavo Petro's policies, though Petro's approval ratings have only recently recovered after a slump.

Cepeda's life has been shaped by Colombia's six-decade armed conflict. His father, a senator and leftist party member, was assassinated in 1994. Cepeda dedicated himself to seeking justice for victims, eventually winning a seat in Congress in 2010. He famously confronted former President Alvaro Uribe, securing a conviction for bribery and witness tampering in 2025, though it was later overturned.

However, Cepeda faces challenges from Petro's legacy, including corruption scandals and the failure of the "Total Peace" strategy to curb violence. Armed groups have expanded their power under Petro, undermining security gains. Cepeda has attempted to moderate his platform since the first round, distancing himself from Petro and criticizing the peace plan, but centrist politicians have been reluctant to endorse him.

Analysts say de la Espriella enters the runoff with an advantage, having united the right wing. But Cepeda's strong grassroots organization could mobilize urban and rural voters, potentially reversing the trend. "Cepeda's advantage may lie in the fact that the left has a more effective grassroots organization," said analyst Yann Basset.

Source: www.aljazeera.com