Colombians Go To The Polls Today To Elect A New President

Reuters: Colombians vote for new president with peace deal, economy at stake

BOGOTA (Reuters) - Colombians vote on Sunday in a deeply divisive presidential ballot that has stirred fears the winner could upset a fragile peace accord with Marxist FARC rebels or derail the nation’s business-friendly economic model.

In the first election since the peace deal was signed in 2016 with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), voters will decide on a replacement for President Juan Manuel Santos, who won the Nobel Peace Prize for ending the five-decade-old conflict.

Leading candidate, right-wing Ivan Duque, has pledged to alter the terms of the peace deal and to jail former rebels for war crimes. Leftist Gustavo Petro, polling second, has said he would overhaul Colombia’s orthodox economic policy and redistribute wealth from the rich to the poor.

Trailing them in the often-unreliable polls are mathematician and centrist Sergio Fajardo and former vice president German Vargas, who has Santos’ support.

If no candidate gets more than 50 percent, the top two will go to a runoff on June 17.

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WNU Editor: The main stream media is talking about the economy and the peace process with FARC as being the main issues with the Colombian electorate. I disagree. I think the utter collapse of neighboring Venezuela and the influx of one million Venezuelans into Colombia is what is scaring people in Colombia .... and justifiably so. When they go to the polls, they will vote on who they think will be best able to avoid such a catastrophe in Colombia .... and that person is probably going to be Ivan Duque. The only question that remains unanswered is .... will he win on the first ballot?

More News On Colombians Going To The Polls Today To Elect A New President

No longer driven by conflict, Colombians vote for president -- AP
New problems, old fears ahead of Colombia's presidential election -- ABC News
Colombians vote for new president in wake of Farc peace process -- The Guardian
Colombia's presidential election could signal end of peace pact with former FARC rebels, analysts say -- Los Angeles Times
A glance at Colombia's presidential election -- FOX News/AP