Meanwhile, Fujimori supporters voiced optimism about stability and security , praising her message of reconciliation and tougher action on crime. With quick counts showing a virtual tie and official results fluctuating as votes are processed, both camps remain confident as the final outcome hangs in the balance.

Quick count figures from Datum Internacional and Ipsos show Roberto Sanchez holding a narrow lead of less than one percentage point, while official preliminary results from ONPE indicate Fujimori ahead with a wider margin based on processed tally sheets. Final results are expected in mid-July, with the winner set to take office on 28 July 2026 for a five-year term.

Supporters echoed his message, chanting “For justice and dignity. Fujimori never again”, as quick-count results from Datum Internacional and Ipsos showed a virtual tie between the two candidates, with Sánchez holding a narrow lead.

Most participants forecast a victory for Fujimori, with one shaman claiming the ritual indicated she would assume the presidency. Others, however, offered differing views, suggesting Sanchez could win the popular vote while raising concerns about possible irregularities.

The outcome highlights a deeply polarised political landscape, with voters largely backing candidates from either the political right or left, while centrist contenders failed to gain significant support.

The runoff campaign is expected to focus on issues including security, drug trafficking, economic management, democratic institutions and the legacy of President Gustavo Petro’s government.

Speaking to supporters after advancing to the second round, de la Espriella presented the election as a defining moment for the country.

“This is tyranny or institutionality. The past or the future, complicity or independence and patriotism,” he said. “There is no more room for indifference.”

He also accused his rival of links to criminal groups, describing Cepeda as “a bandit allied with narco-terrorists.”

De la Espriella said that if elected, he would uphold judicial independence, work with local governments regardless of political affiliation, reduce poverty, strengthen security, combat drug trafficking and restore state authority across Colombia.

Cepeda, meanwhile, criticised what he described as foreign involvement in the election after Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa publicly congratulated de la Espriella and criticised the left-wing candidate on social media .

“Foreign governments are meddling in our elections,” Cepeda said.

He also called for greater scrutiny of his opponent’s campaign finances and questioned the scale of spending behind the campaign.

Cepeda argued that the runoff represents a choice between preserving social policies advanced under the current administration and a shift toward a conservative government.

“Mr de la Espriella represents fascism, mafia fascism,” he said, warning that social gains achieved during the current government could be reversed if his opponent wins.

The June 21 runoff will determine whether Colombia continues with the left-leaning political agenda associated with the Historical Pact or moves toward a more conservative, security-focused approach under de la Espriella. With the first-round margin relatively narrow, both candidates are expected to intensify efforts to attract voters whose preferred candidates were eliminated, making coalition-building and voter outreach central to the final stage of the campaign.