Ruptly
"Presidential candidate for the Historic Pact coalition Ivan Cepeda closed his campaign with a rally in Barranquilla ahead of Colombia's presidential elections scheduled for 31 May. Footage recorded on Sunday shows the massive event, as Cepeda - the 'continuity candidate' on the left, taking after incumbent President Gustavo Petro - promised to reduce social inequality and create opportunities. "Our second progressive government, as the current government has done, will have as its priority a deeply human priority: placing the State at the service of those who have been excluded, forgotten or discarded. Our main commitment will be to the poor, let there be no doubt," he said. He also said there needed to be political consensus-building in the country. "We will engage in dialogue with all sectors of society and also with the political opposition. We will practise a respectful exchange of ideas, because democracy requires listening to those who think differently," he stressed. During his speech, Cepeda highlighted his political career and his ties to the Caribbean region. "As a human rights defender, as a social leader, as a congressman, I have always sought to remain faithful to that legacy and for decades I have accompanied and walked alongside the Caribbean people," he told attendees. The senator and human rights advocate has run a campaign on themes of peace, social justice, agriculture reform and environmental protection, alongside his vice-presidential running mate Aida Quilcue. He has also proposed a model of 'itinerant government' aimed at bringing the national administration closer to regions historically marginalised within the country. Ivan Cepeda's two main rivals in the presidential election are on the right of the political spectrum - Abelardo de la Espriella of Defenders of the Homeland and Paloma Valencia of the Democratic Centre. 41 million people are able to vote. A candidate requires over half the votes cast to win outright, or the top two go forward to a runoff on June 21. "
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