Written by Umamah Bakharia 

Columbia had their first round of elections between a former M-19 guerrilla fighter and senator, Gustavo Petro and Federico Gutiérrez, the former mayor of Medellín. Compared to previous elections, the voter count had increased to see the two candidates contest for the presidential seat.

Radio Islam discusses this further with political analyst, Dr Dale McKinley.

“It’s no surprise because the candidates that were vying come from an ideological spectrum, so there was a whole choice on offer,” says Dr McKinley.

This has raised the questions of violence erupting in Columbia over the political battle. “I don’t think the question of violence is very far from anything when it comes to politics in Columbia,” says Dr McKinley.

He adds: “the will be a potential for more violence but I don’t think that would be the main consideration in terms of those votes, the main consideration is that Columbia is a society that is complete and utterly divided,” says Dr McKinley.

The presidential candidate might be a change for Columbia’s democracy.