Colombia right wing candidate De La Espriella, leftist Cepeda poised for run-off

BOGOTA, May 31 (Reuters) – 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.