How Ivan Cepeda emerged a frontrunner in Colombia’s presidential election
Critics say Cepeda, a soft-spoken senator, became a 'hero to the left' after he took on a right-wing president in court.
By Apps Support, Christina Noriega
Contending with Petro's legacy
Last October, Cepeda won the primary to serve as the Historic Pact's nominee.
As his campaign gained momentum, Cepeda consistently topped pre-election polls. He became the candidate to beat before the first round.
But that also put a target on his back. De la Espriella branded him as “the heir of the FARC", accusing him, without evidence, of being a rebel fighter.
His opponents have also used photographs showing Cepeda with former FARC members to suggest he has rebel sympathies.
Cepeda, however, has explained that the photos come from government peace talks with the FARC in the mid-2010s, when he worked as an unofficial negotiator in Havana.
But the challenges Cepeda faces go beyond accusations about his past. His candidacy as the Historic Pact nominee has also forced him to contend with Petro's legacy.
Corruption scandals have dented Petro's reputation. In one high-profile case, funds intended to supply potable water to remote communities were reportedly embezzled by officials at Colombia’s disaster risk management agency.
When questioned about the corruption allegations, Cepeda has acknowledged mistakes.
"We must address the issue with complete frankness and, above all, correct it going forward," he told Duzan in an interview.
Some of the sharpest criticism against Cepeda has also been for his support of Petro's security strategy.
Cepeda helped conceive “Total Peace", Petro's plan for negotiating ceasefires with the country's armed groups and criminal organisations. He also served as a government negotiator during talks with the National Liberation Army (ELN), Colombia’s largest remaining rebel group.
But Petro's security strategy fell short of its mission, having failed to achieve a lasting peace deal with any major group in nearly four years.
Instead, analysts say that armed groups expanded their power during Petro’s presidency, exacerbating Colombia's violence and insecurity.
That has come at a political cost for Cepeda’s candidacy.
Laura Bonilla, the deputy director of the Peace and Reconciliation Foundation (PARES), a research nonprofit, said that the Petro administration believed its economic and social gains would compensate for rising security concerns, which was ultimately proven wrong.
"The left essentially said, ‘The economy is doing well, social conditions have improved, and President Petro remains popular, so we can sideline security issues and focus on the social agenda,’" said Bonilla.
"But that only resonates with a limited part of the electorate. You are not going to broaden your support that way."