Colombia is headed for a high-stakes presidential runoff after no candidate secured an outright majority in Sunday’s election.

With nearly all votes counted, conservative outsider Abelardo de la Espriella emerged in first place with 44% of the vote, while progressive senator Iván Cepeda finished second with 41%. The two candidates will now face off in a decisive second-round election later this month.

The result marks a dramatic shift in Colombia’s political landscape. Cepeda, an ally of current President Gustavo Petro, entered the race as the frontrunner and campaigned on continuing Petro’s “Total Peace” strategy, which focuses on negotiating agreements with guerrilla groups and criminal organizations. However, growing concerns over public security and violence helped fuel a late surge for de la Espriella, who built his campaign around promises to crack down on organized crime and strengthen law enforcement.

The election is widely being viewed as a referendum on Petro’s presidency and the future direction of Colombia. Over the past decade, the country has struggled to maintain the gains achieved after the historic peace agreement with the FARC, while violence from armed groups has resurged in several regions.

De la Espriella has drawn comparisons to Nayib Bukele, promising tougher security measures and the construction of mega-prisons to combat criminal organizations. Meanwhile, Cepeda argues that long-term peace can only be achieved through dialogue, social investment, and addressing the root causes of violence.

The first-round results were immediately met with controversy after Cepeda and Petro raised concerns about the vote count and called for a review of election results before formally accepting the outcome. Election authorities have reported no evidence of widespread irregularities.

As Colombia prepares for the runoff, voters face a choice between two sharply different visions for the country’s future: continuing the progressive agenda of the Petro era or embracing a tougher security-first approach championed by de la Espriella.