BOGOTA - Colombian right wing outsider Abelardo de la Espreilla is poised to compete in a runoff in the country's presidential race against leftist senator Ivan Cepeda, data from the country's national registry office showed on Sunday, after no candidate reached the more than 50% support needed to avoid a second round, with a majority of votes counted nationwide.

De La Espriella and Cepeda were running close in tallies, with the right wing lawyer notching 44% support and the long-time senator and activist 41%.

Lawyer and businessman De La Espriella, has never held elected office, but his style and policy proposals have drawn comparisons to El Salvador's Nayib Bukele.

Portraying himself as an outsider free from political baggage, De La Espriella, 47, has proposed a tough offensive against illegal armed groups, the construction of 10 megaprisons and poverty reduction through better education, healthcare and housing for the poorest.

Cepeda, a 63-year-old lawmaker, has been leading opinion polls, but surveys have suggested he will face a much tougher contest in a second round, once right-leaning and centrist voters no longer have multiple candidates to choose from.

Cepeda, the son of a murdered communist leader, has promised to pursue peace with illegal armed groups through negotiations, a policy that has led to little progress under current leader President Gustavo Petro. He also plans to deepen reforms meant to reduce inequality and poverty, including by raising taxes on high earners, gifting 1 million hectares (2.47 million acres) to victims of the country's six-decade internal conflict, and expanding healthcare coverage.

De La Espriella, who has legally represented controversial figures including former Venezuelan minister Alex Saab, has warned Cepeda would ensure the continuation of Petro's much-criticized economic policies, including a ban on new oil projects.

The lawyer says he has financed his campaign with his own resources, without receiving donations from parties or large companies. Reuters could not independently verify that claim.

(Reporting by Carlos Vargas, Luis Jaime Acosta, Nelson Bocanegra and Julia Symmes Cobb, Editing by Julia Symmes Cobb, Deepa Babington and Chris Reese)

Colombian President Gustavo Petro shows the media his ballot before casting his vote at the Congress of the Republic during the first round of the presidential election, in Bogota, Colombia, in this handout photo released on May 31, 2026. Colombian Presidency/Handout via REUTERS Colombian Presidency Reuters

Colombian presidential candidate Abelardo De La Espriella of the political movement Defenders of the Homeland shows his ballot at a polling station during the first round of the presidential election, in Barranquilla, Colombia May 31, 2026. REUTERS/Sergio Acero Sergio Acero Reuters

Colombian presidential candidate Paloma Valencia of the Democratic Centre party greets supporters after voting at a polling station during the first round of the presidential election, in Bogota, Colombia May 31, 2026. REUTERS/Enea Lebrun Enea Lebrun Reuters

Colombian presidential candidate Ivan Cepeda of the Historic Pact party reacts at a polling station during the first round of the presidential election, in Bogota, Colombia May 31, 2026. REUTERS/Luisa Gonzalez Luisa Gonzalez Reuters

Colombia's former President Alvaro Uribe Velez accompanied by Colombian presidential candidate Paloma Valencia of the Democratic Centre party, as they speak to the press, during the first round of the presidential election, in Rio Negro, Colombia, May 31, 2026. REUTERS/Juan David Duque Juan David Duque Reuters

A police officer checks the indentity of a woman as she enters the polling station to cast a vote during the first round of the presidential election, in Barranquilla, Colombia May 31, 2026. REUTERS/Charlie Cordero Charlie Cordero Reuters

Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect.

This story was originally published May 31, 2026 at 3:03 PM.

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