Campaign Staffers Targeted
Two campaign staffers working for right-wing presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella were killed on Friday night in the central department of Meta. Gunmen on motorbikes carried out the attack, according to de la Espriella. The victims were identified as Rogers Mauricio Devia Escoba, a former mayor for the city of Cubarral, and his adviser Eder Fabian Cardona Lopez, as confirmed by the citizens’ rights ombudsman.
Condemnation and Concerns
De la Espriella posted on X that the two staffers "walked the streets defending democracy, freedom, and the hope of millions of Colombians". He added, "Their only crime was believing in the Fatherland and not kneeling before the violent." The ombudsman warned that the attacks could affect the “exercise of political rights and democratic participation” in the upcoming election on May 31. The office stated that violence and intimidation undermine public debate and weaken democratic coexistence.
Rising Tensions
Meta has long been a stronghold for both rebel fighters and cocaine trafficking. Violence and surging crime have featured prominently in the presidential race to replace Gustavo Petro. At least three candidates have reported receiving death threats. Frontrunners travel with heavy security. Miguel Uribe, a senator and presidential hopeful, was shot during a rally in Bogota in June 2025. He died from his wound two months later.
Presidential Race Dynamics
Fourteen candidates were registered for the presidential race as of March. Left-wing Senator Ivan Cepeda, the frontrunner, has between 37 and 40 percent support. He has promised to continue the course charted by Petro. De la Espriella is polling in second with more than 20 percent of voter support, followed by centre-right Senator Paloma Valencia. Last year, Cepeda’s vice presidential running mate, Indigenous activist and state senator Aida Quilcue, was briefly kidnapped by a rebel group that broke away from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).
Brazilian Election Parallels
In Brazil, a new poll shows a tight race for the presidency, with left-wing incumbent Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his right-wing challenger, Flavio Bolsonaro, tied. Both candidates received 45 percent of the polled voter support, with an additional 9 percent indicating they would cast “null” ballots. The remaining 1 percent was undecided. Lula is angling for a fourth nonconsecutive term. Bolsonaro is hoping to continue his father’s far-right political legacy. Jair Bolsonaro is currently serving a 27-year prison sentence for attempting to plot a coup.
Bolsonaro's Film Funding Scandal
Flavio Bolsonaro has faced scrutiny over a film funding scandal. The Intercept Brasil reported leaked WhatsApp messages between Bolsonaro and a banker arrested for an alleged fraud scheme, Daniel Vorcaro. Bolsonaro reportedly approached Vorcaro to finance a film about his father’s life, called Dark Horse. Vorcaro ultimately pledged $24 million, or 134 million Brazilian reals, to the film project. Left-wing lawmakers have called for an investigation into the incident.
The upcoming elections in Colombia are now shadowed by violence, potentially impacting voter turnout and the legitimacy of the results, as citizens fear for their safety when expressing their political preferences.
