Colombian elections: Progressive candidates lead in opinion polls amid rising security threats

The Historic Pact presidential ticket, with Gustavo Petro and Francia Márquez, is favored to win the upcoming presidential elections on May 29, with between 37.9% to 48% of votes, according to various opinion polls. Their potential victory threatens to break the decades-long rule of conservatives in the country. Since the beginning of the election campaign, they have been constantly targeted with threats by illegal paramilitary groups, allegedly supported by the Colombian right-wing oligarchy.