Colombia votes in presidential election that could redefine relations with US

Colombia votes in presidential election that could redefine relations with US7 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GooglePaulin KolaandAleks PhillipsEPAThe election has polarised Colombia after months of tension with the USColombia is heading to the polls to choose a new president.The election is being held after months of public recrimination between current left-wing President Gustavo Petro and his US counterpart Donald Trump over a number of issues including drug trafficking and American intervention in the region.Petro cannot seek re-election and has thrown his support behind Iván Cepeda. Challenging him are centre-right candidates Abelardo de la Espriella and Paloma Valencia.The outcome of the election could redefine which countries the Latin American nation aligns itself with and how the government intends to tackle drug gangs amid spiralling violence.EPAIván Cepeda has pledged to continue the policies of the current administrationVoting begins at 08:00 local time (13:00 GMT) and will close at 16:00. None of the candidates in Sunday's poll appear likely to win an outright majority, with a run-off vote expected on 21 June.Polling suggests Cepeda has the greatest support, with de la Espriella his next-closest rival.Cepeda has promised to continue with the Petro administration's policy of "total peace", which sought negotiated settlements with armed insurgent groups that engage in drug trafficking - though talks have stalled or fallen apart and there has been renewed violence. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said in a recent report that armed conflict in Colombia last year had affected civilians the most in a decade.De la Espriella and Valencia have vowed to launch a military crackdown if elected.Getty ImagesRight-wing presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella appeared behind bulletproof glass at a rally last weekColombia's presidential hopefuls have campaigned amid persistent political violence, with one can...