Candidate calls for investigations into alleged voter intimidation ahead of Colombia’s May 31 presidential elections

Colombian senator and presidential candidate Iván Cepeda Castro renewed accusations Thursday that armed groups are attempting to influence voters in several regions of the country ahead of Colombia’s presidential elections on May 31.

RELATED: Ivan Cepeda’s Double Fight Against Colombian Right-wing Factions

In a statement published on social media, Cepeda called for a full investigation into alleged pressure campaigns targeting the electorate and demanded legal sanctions against those responsible.

“I categorically and forcefully condemn any kind of pressure on voters. Neither the Historic Pact nor the Alliance for Life forces nor my presidential campaign nor I, in my condition as a presidential candidate, accept this kind of action. Those responsible must be investigated and punished with the full rigor of the law,” Cepeda said.

Text Reads: I REITERATE THE POSITION I MADE PUBLIC IN RECENT DAYS / IVÁN CEPEDA CASTRO DENOUNCES PRESSURES FROM ARMED GROUPS TO INFLUENCE THE ELECTORATE AND DEMANDS SANCTIONS / In recent days, I have received information from social organizations, local authorities, and the Ombudsman’s Office, which I am bringing to the attention of the public and will forward to the competent authorities. This information details pressures exerted by armed groups on the electorate in certain areas of the country, aimed at influencing the direction of the vote, either in favor of or against the presidential candidacies. / I categorically and vigorously condemn any kind of pressure on voters. Neither the Historic Pact, nor the forces of the Alliance for Life, nor my campaign, nor I in my capacity as a presidential candidate accept this type of actions. Those responsible must be investigated and sanctioned with the full rigor of the law.

The candidate described the reported actions as unacceptable and stressed the need to guarantee electoral conditions free from coercion.

Cepeda had previously raised the allegations on May 5, urging Colombian authorities to identify and prosecute those responsible for illegal pressure on voters in order to safeguard voting autonomy and the legitimacy of the electoral process.

Colombia’s presidential race includes 13 candidates. According to the information provided in the release, Cepeda currently leads voting intentions in the first round, followed by Abelardo De la Espriella and Paloma Valencia.

The statements also come amid reports published by Señal Colombia and Revista Raya on “Project Jupiter,” described in the release as a multimillion-dollar right-wing operation allegedly aimed at manipulating the presidential elections by fueling fear, indignation and uncertainty among the population ahead of the vote.

Meanwhile, Colombian authorities continue responding to an escalation of violence in the country’s south. The national government has deployed military operations aimed at preventing further attacks and containing the actions of illegal armed groups.

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