The election that could reshape Colombia’s relationship with Israel As Colombia prepares for its upcoming presidential election on Sunday, Ivan Cepeda, a senator and human rights activist, represents the left’s bid to continue the political legacy of President Gustavo Petro. His opponent, Abelardo de la Espriella, a Trump-endorsed lawyer, businessman, and iron-fisted populist, is meanwhile seeking to “rebuild the miracle homeland” from a more punitive, right-wing perspective. De la Espriella won the first round of the race, held on 31 May, with 43.7 percent of the vote to 40.9 percent for Cepeda.