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Colombia held legislative elections for 102 Senators and 166 members of the House of Representatives on March 11, due to be followed by a first round of presidential elections on May 27. A second round will be held on June 17 if no candidate obtains more than 50 percent.
The quality of education and health, high unemployment and inequality rank higher in concern among Colombians than the implementation of the peace accords with the FARC.
The peace agreements with the FARC and a possible agreement with the ELN are the major issues nonetheless, with the right-wing parties attempting to capitalize on misinformation and discontent over government inefficiency, poor quality of services, inequality and corruption.
While general crime statistics are down in the country, violence against social leaders has risen, with almost 200 killed since the peace agreement was signed.
Corruption also ranks high among concerns, with current President Juan Manuel Santos caught up in the Panama Leaks and Odebrecht scandals.
Petro and Duque Win Colombian Primaries Amid Fraud Allegations
The Electoral Mission said "unauthorized information desks" had been set up in front of polling stations "with list of voters and transportation ready to receive them." READ MORE
Colombia's Legislative Elections and Anti-Communism Analyzed
The composition of the next Congress after the March 11 elections will define Colombia's near future and that of its peace process. READ MORE
Colombia: Piedad Cordoba Announces Presidential Candidacy
"We will be the surprise" in the election "because we're going to sweep away all the crap that exists in the country," said Piedad Cordoba. READ MORE
Colombia: Gustavo Petro, Ivan Duque Tied in New Presidential Election Poll
According to a poll by Guarumo and Eco-Analitica Medicion y Conceptos Economicos, 23.6 percent of the surveyed Colombians said they would vote for Duque, while 23.1 percent said they preferred Petro, the former mayor of Bogota. READ MORE
Colombia's FARC Launches 'Anti-Poverty' Election Campaign
The ballots will mark the party's electoral debut after thousands of members handed in their weapons under a deal signed with the government of President Juan Manuel Santos in 2016. READ MORE
Colombia: Another Social Leader Killed Amid Gov't Slow Response
More than 20 human rights defenders have been killed so far in 2018 as the government kicks off an investigation into the killings. READ MORE
Colombia's ELN Announces Unilateral Ceasefire During Elections
In a communique, the guerrilla group said that the decision was made because of the legislative elections scheduled on March 11, although they did not support “such corrupted electoral process.” READ MORE
According to polls, Colombian voters are overwhelmingly concerned about social and economic issues in the country.
At Least Two Killed in Ongoing Colombian Toll-Booth Protests
Chigorodo, Turbo, Carepa and Apartado municipalities continue to be blocked by demonstrators who mobilized in protest against three new toll booths. READ MORE
Poverty in Colombia Increases for First Time in 15 Years
Official statistics from Colombia have shown that 2016 – the year that the government came to a peace deal with FARC rebels – was the first year since 2002 where poverty and extreme poverty had increased. READ MORE
The Andean nation has a troubled past when it comes to political violence and election fraud.
Q&A: The Risk of Violence and Fraud in Colombia's Elections
The relation between paramilitarism and elections is very strong in Colombia, an expert tells teleSUR. READ MORE
Poll Shows Plenty Distrust in Colombian Politics
A study by the Latin American Geopolitical Strategic Center, or Celag, reveals that the majority of people in Colombia distrust their politicians in the lead up to the presidential election in May. READ MORE
Colombia Registers 82,998 Disappearances In 59 Years
According to the Memory and Conflict Observatory of the National Center for Historical Memory, 82,998 people have been disappeared in Colombia between 1958 and November 2017. READ MORE
Former Bogota mayor, Gustavo Petro. | Photo Reuters
title='Sergio Fajardo, former Governor of Antioquia.' width="798" height="449">
Sergio Fajardo, former Governor of Antioquia. | Photo Reuters
title='Ivan Duque of Alvaro Uribe's hardline Democratic Center party.' width="798" height="449">
Ivan Duque of Alvaro Uribe's hardline Democratic Center party. | Photo Reuters
title='Guerrilla turned politician Rodrigo Londoño, who is running for the FARC's new political party.' width="798" height="449">
Guerrilla turned politician Rodrigo Londoño, who is running for the FARC's new political party. | Photo Reuters
title='In recent months, the peace talks between the government and the National Liberation Army, or ELN, have fallen apart.' width="798" height="449">
In recent months, the peace talks between the government and the National Liberation Army, or ELN, have fallen apart. | Photo Reuters
title='Despite the peace accords, the long-standing political violence in the country has continued.' width="798" height="449">
Despite the peace accords, the long-standing political violence in the country has continued. | Photo Reuters
title='Colombia has been site of numerous mass protests in recent years over rising poverty and inequality.' width="798" height="449">
Colombia has been site of numerous mass protests in recent years over rising poverty and inequality. | Photo Reuters
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