colombia elections: The Race That Could Rewrite the Country's Peace Deal
Here are the top 5 things you need to know about this historic vote:
- Front-Runner Gustavo Petro, a former guerrilla and current leftist senator, is surging in the polls, promising to transform the economy and shake up the establishment.
- A key issue at stake is the 2016 peace accord with the FARC rebel group; Petro supports it, while his main rival Federico Gutiérrez wants to renegotiate key parts.
- Voter turnout is expected to be massive, with young people and rural communities energized by promises of healthcare reform and food security.
- Allegations of fraud and cyberattacks have already emerged, with both candidates accusing each other of dirty tricks to sway undecided voters.
- The outcome could trigger major shifts in Latin American politics, potentially isolating Colombia from Washington if a more nationalist, leftist agenda takes hold.