Colombia’s election shadowed by renewed violence and a hardline security contest

Colombia heads to the polls amid a spike in political violence tied to Farc dissidents and criminal groups, highlighted by the kidnapping and killing of journalist Mateo Pérez Rueda; the race pits Iván Cepeda, backing the peace deal, against far-right Abelardo de la Espriella and Paloma Valencia, who promise tougher security. Violence remains concentrated in illegal economies like drug trade and gold mining, with experts noting a high but localized threat since the peace agreement. The US has shown cautious engagement; a runoff is possible on June 21 if no candidate wins a majority, and Mateo’s death underscores a neglected part of the country still drawn into the conflict.