Bogotá — A Colombian appeals court Monday annulled the first-round presidential vote, triggering an extraordinary constitutional crisis and ordering a new election for June 29. Both incumbent President Gustavo Petro and far-right challenger Hermann de la Espriella will appear on the new ballot — a decision the court said was necessary to restore democratic legitimacy after evidence emerged of systematic irregularities affecting results in at least 11 departments.
The ruling sent shockwaves through Colombian politics. Petro accused the court of orchestrating a coup d’état in conjunction with the political right. De la Espriella called the annulment a “victory for truth” and renewed his pledge to launch a major anti-corruption investigation into the Petro administration if he reaches the runoff.
At least two de la Espriella supporters were hospitalized after confrontations outside the electoral tribunal in Bogotá. Colombia’s military was deployed to protect election infrastructure ahead of the fresh vote. International observers have called for calm while the judicial review proceeds.
The election commission has scheduled a runoff for late June. International observers have called for calm while awaiting the official count.