How Ivan Cepeda emerged a frontrunner in Colombia’s presidential election

'It will not be easy' So far, Cepeda has offered few details about how he would modify the strategy. But since the first round of voting, Cepeda has attempted to moderate his platform and distance himself from Petro, in an effort to court centrist and undecided voters. He has, for example, grown more critical of the "Total Peace" plan. In a recent interview with Caracol Radio, Cepeda said that, as president, he would refuse to negotiate with armed groups that attack the civilian population and social leaders. "The [Total Peace] policy has had shortcomings, miscalculations and errors, and it will have to be reassessed," Cepeda said. He has also retreated from a controversial proposal to change Colombia's constitution in order to enact social reforms, an idea that Petro has pursued since 2024. But so far, Cepeda’s efforts have resulted in few political endorsements from centrist politicians. Claudia Lopez, a centrist candidate who finished fifth in the first round of voting, has publicly endorsed him, but her running mate announced he would back De La Espriella in the run-off. Sergio Fajardo, a centrist candidate who finished third, has declined to endorse either candidate. "It has been difficult for Cepeda because [the shift in his platform] has put him somewhat at odds with President Petro’s rhetoric and positions, which dominated the first-round campaign,” said Basset. Cepeda’s sudden shift may have come “too late to seem credible", he added. …