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Peace-Talk Critic Takes Lead in Colombia Presidential Vote Peace-Talk Critic Takes Lead in Colombia Presidential Vote
(4 months later)
CARACAS, Venezuela — A harsh critic of peace talks between the Colombian government and the country’s largest rebel group led in presidential voting Sunday but lacked the majority needed to avoid a runoff. CARACAS, Venezuela — A harsh critic of peace talks between the Colombian government and the country’s largest rebel group led in presidential voting Sunday but lacked the majority needed to avoid a runoff.
The results revealed the weakness of President Juan Manuel Santos, who came in second and was seeking a new term, he told voters, to continue the peace talks he started and to put an end to five decades of guerrilla war.The results revealed the weakness of President Juan Manuel Santos, who came in second and was seeking a new term, he told voters, to continue the peace talks he started and to put an end to five decades of guerrilla war.
“Colombians will have two options, between those who prefer an end to the war and those who want a war without end,” Mr. Santos said after the results were made public. His main challenger, Óscar Iván Zuluaga, a former treasury minister, received 29 percent of the vote, with more than 99 percent of polling stations counted, officials said. Mr. Santos received slightly more than 25 percent in the field of five candidates.“Colombians will have two options, between those who prefer an end to the war and those who want a war without end,” Mr. Santos said after the results were made public. His main challenger, Óscar Iván Zuluaga, a former treasury minister, received 29 percent of the vote, with more than 99 percent of polling stations counted, officials said. Mr. Santos received slightly more than 25 percent in the field of five candidates.
A candidate needed more than 50 percent of votes to be declared the winner, so the two will compete in a runoff on June 15.A candidate needed more than 50 percent of votes to be declared the winner, so the two will compete in a runoff on June 15.
Mr. Santos, 62, had cast himself as the peace candidate and urged voters to empower him to finish talks he started in 2012 with the rebel group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC.Mr. Santos, 62, had cast himself as the peace candidate and urged voters to empower him to finish talks he started in 2012 with the rebel group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC.
Mr. Zuluaga, 55, an ally of the right-wing former president, Álvaro Uribe, has been a harsh critic of the talks and could break them off if he becomes president.Mr. Zuluaga, 55, an ally of the right-wing former president, Álvaro Uribe, has been a harsh critic of the talks and could break them off if he becomes president.
Colombia, a country of 47 million people, is one of Washington’s closest allies in Latin America and has received billions of dollars in American aid in recent years to combat drug trafficking and guerrilla groups.Colombia, a country of 47 million people, is one of Washington’s closest allies in Latin America and has received billions of dollars in American aid in recent years to combat drug trafficking and guerrilla groups.
The campaign became intensely bitter in the final weeks, with backers of Mr. Santos and Mr. Zuluaga trading accusations of spying, links to drug money and other skulduggery.The campaign became intensely bitter in the final weeks, with backers of Mr. Santos and Mr. Zuluaga trading accusations of spying, links to drug money and other skulduggery.
Mr. Santos surprised Colombians in 2012 by starting the peace talks, which have dragged on. He said during his campaign that significant progress had been made toward a deal.Mr. Santos surprised Colombians in 2012 by starting the peace talks, which have dragged on. He said during his campaign that significant progress had been made toward a deal.
Mr. Zuluaga has charged that Mr. Santos is liable to concede too much to achieve peace, including allowing guerrilla leaders to skip serious punishment. He has said, however, that he would consider continuing the talks if the FARC stopped all criminal activity.Mr. Zuluaga has charged that Mr. Santos is liable to concede too much to achieve peace, including allowing guerrilla leaders to skip serious punishment. He has said, however, that he would consider continuing the talks if the FARC stopped all criminal activity.
Mr. Zuluaga’s closeness to Mr. Uribe has been a central element of his campaign. Mr. Uribe, a polarizing figure with a strong political base, backed Mr. Santos when he ran for president in 2010. But they later became fierce enemies, splitting over the peace talks, which Mr. Uribe opposed.Mr. Zuluaga’s closeness to Mr. Uribe has been a central element of his campaign. Mr. Uribe, a polarizing figure with a strong political base, backed Mr. Santos when he ran for president in 2010. But they later became fierce enemies, splitting over the peace talks, which Mr. Uribe opposed.
Despite the two candidates’ focus on the peace negotiations, which are taking place in Havana, analysts say that voters’ concerns are mostly on other issues, including crime, health care and unemployment.Despite the two candidates’ focus on the peace negotiations, which are taking place in Havana, analysts say that voters’ concerns are mostly on other issues, including crime, health care and unemployment.
The FARC and another rebel group, the National Liberation Army, declared a cease-fire to coincide with the election.The FARC and another rebel group, the National Liberation Army, declared a cease-fire to coincide with the election.