Outsider right-wing candidate Abelardo de la Espriella cast his vote on Sunday (May 31), seeking to become Colombia's next president with a promise to crack down on illegal armed groups, drug trafficking, and crime.

De la Espriella, nicknamed "The Tiger," turned out in the Caribbean city of Barranquilla with his wife, Ana Lucia Pineda.

Portraying himself as an outsider free from political baggage, De La Espriella, 47, has proposed a tough offensive against illegal armed groups, the construction of 10 megaprisons, and poverty reduction through better education, healthcare, and housing for the poorest.

More than 40 million Colombians are eligible to vote. Polling stations will open for eight hours beginning 8 a.m. local time (1300 GMT), with definitive results expected at about 8 p.m. local time (0100 GMT on June 1), authorities have said.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

BARRANQUILLA, COLOMBIA (MAY 31, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. VEHICLE CARRYING PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE ABELARDO DE LA ESPRIELLA ARRIVING AT POLLING STATION

2. PEOPLE CHANTING (Spanish) "Yes, you can do it"

3. DE LA ESPRIELLA GETTING OUT OF VEHICLE AND WAVING TO PEOPLE / CARRYING HIS DAUGHTER

4. DE LA ESPRIELLA WALKING AMONG PEOPLE

5. DE LA ESPRIELLA SIGNING VOTER REGISTRATION FORM

6. CELLPHONE SCREEN SHOWING DE LA ESPRIELLA AT POLLING STATION

7. DE LA ESPRIELLA SHOWING BALLOT AND HIS WIFE ANA LUCIA PINEDA CASTING VOTE

8. PEOPLE CHANTING (Spanish): “(President Gustavo) Petro, out”

9. DE LA ESPRIELLA SAYING GOODBYE AND SAYING (Spanish) "Thank you, everyone"

10. PEOPLE RECORDING WITH MOBILE PHONES

11. VEHICLE CARRYING DE LA ESPRIELLA LEAVING POLLING STATION

12. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) VOTER, BEATRIZ, SAYING:

"Colombia needs a committed person, just like our presidential candidate Abelardo, who can pull us out of the abyss we are in, who gives us confidence, who gives us security, gives us stability, brings us good international relations, confidence in the international community."

13. PEOPLE AT POLLING STATION

14. WOMAN LEAVING VOTING BOOTH

15. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE CASTING BALLOTS

16. BALLOTS INSIDE BOX

17. PEOPLE AT POLLING STATION

18. BALLOTS

19. PEOPLE AT POLLING STATION