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'We don't want fascism to enter here in Colombia again' - Students march in Bogota to support Ivan Cepeda's candidacy heading to second round of presidential election

"Dozens of students and supporters of presidential candidate Ivan Cepeda took to the streets of Bogota this Friday to express their support for the Pacto Historico candidate ahead of the presidential runoff on June 21. The images show young people waving Colombian flags while shouting slogans and listening to speeches from student leaders in an atmosphere of jubilation and celebration adorned with flares in the colors of the Colombian flag. The mobilization adds to other gatherings recorded in recent days following the results of the first electoral round, in which Cepeda advanced to the runoff against lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella. Participants stated that the demonstration aimed to defend the continuity of reforms promoted by President Gustavo Petro's government and express their rejection of a potential victory by De la Espriella. "Because we are supporting the candidate Ivan Cepeda, who is a candidate right now in the second round and because we do not want fascism to enter here in Colombia again. And precisely for that reason, we are doing this mobilisation against all imperialism and all the interference from the United States that has wanted to impose the candidate Abelardo on us," said law student David Tovar. In the same vein, Saturno Bernal, a performing arts student and student representative of the National Pedagogical University, stated that young people seek to preserve advances in areas such as public education and health. He also criticized the proposals attributed to candidate De la Espriella and questioned the role of artificial intelligence in his campaign. Among the attendees was also Alexandra, a student from the National Learning Service (SENA), who expressed concern about a possible privatization of public universities in the event of a De la Espriella victory. "[If Abelardo wins] The universities will become privatised and we young people, who are working class and middle class, will have to pay for semesters and tuition and it is not fair because we educate ourselves for a better Colombia," she commented. The demonstrations reflect the high level of polarization that Colombia is experiencing just over two weeks before the presidential runoff, in which Ivan Cepeda and Abelardo de la Espriella will compete for the Presidency in one of the most closely contested and divisive races in recent years."