The Election in Colombia

Jun 19, 2026, 15:17
Latin AmericaPolitics
A2

The Election in Colombia

哥倫比亞的選舉

Introduction

Colombia has a big election soon. Two men, Abelardo de la Espriella and Ivan Cepeda, want to be the president.

哥倫比亞即將舉行大選。兩位人士，Abelardo de la Espriella 與 Ivan Cepeda，皆希望出任總統。

Main Body

Abelardo de la Espriella is a lawyer. He is not a politician. Many people like him. He wants more prisons and longer time in jail for criminals. He wants to use chemicals to stop drugs.

Abelardo de la Espriella 是一名律師。他並非政治人物。許多人喜歡他。他希望增加監獄數量，並延長罪犯的服刑時間。他希望使用化學藥劑來打擊毒品。

Some people are tired of the old rules. They want more police and soldiers to stop violence. Donald Trump and Alvaro Uribe like Abelardo. But Abelardo does not like the news or some international groups.

有些人對舊有的規則感到厭倦。他們希望投入更多警察與士兵以制止暴力。川普與 Alvaro Uribe 相當欣賞 Abelardo。但 Abelardo 並不喜歡新聞媒體或某些國際組織。

Abelardo has some problems. The law courts might stop his plans. Also, the government does not have enough money for his big ideas. Ivan Cepeda wants to keep the old plan. He wants to talk and make peace.

Abelardo 面臨一些問題。法院可能會阻止他的計劃。此外，政府沒有足夠的資金來實現他的宏大構想。Ivan Cepeda 則希望維持原有的計劃，他希望透過對話來達成和平。

Conclusion

People in Colombia must choose. They want either peace through talking or peace through force.

哥倫比亞人民必須做出選擇。他們想要的是透過對話達成和平，還是透過武力達成和平。

Vocabulary Learning

The Power of "WANT"

In this story, we see one word used many times to show a person's goals: Want.

How it works: Person →\rightarrow want →\rightarrow thing/action

  • He wants more prisons. (He wants →\rightarrow a thing)
  • He wants to use chemicals. (He wants →\rightarrow to do something)
  • They want more police. (They want →\rightarrow a thing)
  • He wants to talk. (He wants →\rightarrow to do something)

Quick Rule: When the person is He, She, or It, we add an -s: I want→extHewant→extbfHewants\text{I want} \rightarrow ext{He want}→ extbf{He wants}

Opposite Day: To say 'no', we use does not want:

  • Abelardo does not like the news.
  • The government does not have money.

Vocabulary Learning

election (n.)
The process of choosing a leader by voting.
Example:The country has a big election to choose a new president.
lawyer (n.)
A person whose job is to give legal advice and speak in court.
Example:The lawyer helps people with their legal problems.
politician (n.)
A person who works in government and politics.
Example:The politician gave a speech about the new laws.
criminals (n.)
People who have done something against the law.
Example:The police catch criminals who steal things.
chemicals (n.)
Special substances used in science or industry.
Example:Some chemicals are used to make medicine.
violence (n.)
Using physical force to hurt someone.
Example:The city wants to stop violence in the streets.
international (adj.)
Between two or more countries.
Example:The airport has many international flights.
government (n.)
The group of people who rule a country.
Example:The government decides how to spend the money.
force (n.)
Strong power or physical strength.
Example:The army used force to stop the fight.
B2

Analysis of the Colombian Presidential Run-off and the Rise of Abelardo de la Espriella

哥倫比亞總統決選分析與 Abelardo de la Espriella 的崛起

Introduction

Colombia is approaching a presidential run-off election. This vote is marked by a strong ideological difference between the leading candidate, Abelardo de la Espriella, and Senator Ivan Cepeda.

哥倫比亞即將進入總統決選。本次投票的特點在於領先候選人 Abelardo de la Espriella 與參議員 Ivan Cepeda 之間存在強烈的意識形態分歧。

Main Body

The current election reflects a general trend toward right-wing governments across Latin America. Abelardo de la Espriella, a criminal defense lawyer who has never held political office, won 44 percent of the vote in the May primary. Recent polls show he now has 52 percent support. His plan is based on a 'hard-line' security strategy, which includes building ten large private prisons, increasing prison sentences, and using chemicals from aircraft to destroy coca crops. This approach directly opposes the 'Total Peace' plan of President Gustavo Petro, which focused on peace negotiations and giving land to rural farmers.

目前的選舉反映了整個拉丁美洲趨向右翼政府的普遍趨勢。Abelardo de la Espriella 是一名從未擔任過公職的刑事辯護律師，他在五月的初選中贏得了 44% 的選票。近期民調顯示他目前擁有 52% 的支持率。他的計劃基於一套「強硬」的安全策略，包括興建十座大型私營監獄、延長監禁刑期，以及使用飛機噴灑化學藥劑以摧毀古柯作物。這種做法直接反對總統 Gustavo Petro 側重於和平談判並向農村農民分發土地的「全面和平」計劃。

Many voters, especially in central regions like San Jose del Guaviare, are moving toward de la Espriella because they believe current policies have failed to stop violence and extortion. Although he is supported by former President Alvaro Uribe and Donald Trump, experts say his ideas differ from traditional right-wing politics. For example, analyst Jorge Mantilla describes his movement as a 'non-institutional right wing' because de la Espriella often fights with the press and wants Colombia to leave international organizations like the United Nations.

許多選民，尤其是像 San Jose del Guaviare 等中部地區的人，正轉向支持 de la Espriella，因為他們認為目前的政策未能有效阻止暴力與勒索。儘管他獲得前總統 Alvaro Uribe 和川普的支持，但專家表示他的理念與傳統右翼政治不同。例如，分析師 Jorge Mantilla 將他的運動描述為「非建制右翼」，因為 de la Espriella 經常與媒體發生衝突，並希望哥倫比亞退出聯合國等國際組織。

However, several legal and financial problems might stop his plans. Legal experts point out that the Colombian Constitutional Court has already blocked life imprisonment and aerial spraying in the past. Furthermore, the military lacks the resources and the government lacks the budget to implement such large-scale security measures. In contrast, Ivan Cepeda continues to support the negotiation-based approach of the current government.

然而，若干法律與財務問題可能會阻礙他的計劃。法律專家指出，哥倫比亞憲法法院過去已否決過終身監禁與空中噴灑。此外，軍方缺乏資源，政府也缺乏預算來實施如此大規模的安全措施。相比之下，Ivan Cepeda 則繼續支持現任政府以談判為基礎的方針。

Conclusion

The Colombian voters remain split between those who prefer diplomatic negotiations and those who want a radical, military-focused security system.

哥倫比亞選民目前依然分裂，一部分人傾向外交談判，另一部分人則希望建立一套激進且以軍事為核心的安全系統。

Vocabulary Learning

The Secret to B2: Moving from 'Basic' to 'Precise'

At an A2 level, you say "He wants to do a lot of things." At a B2 level, you say "He intends to implement large-scale security measures."

The Linguistic Bridge: 'High-Impact' Verbs

Look at the article. Instead of using simple verbs like do, make, or have, the text uses specific verbs that describe professional actions. This is how you stop sounding like a student and start sounding like a fluent speaker.

⚡️ The Power Shift

A2 Verb (Simple)B2 Upgrade (Precise)Context from Article
Do / Start→\rightarrow Implement"...to implement such large-scale security measures."
Stop / Close→\rightarrow Block"...the Court has already blocked life imprisonment."
Show / Give→\rightarrow Reflect"The current election reflects a general trend..."

🧠 Why this matters for your fluency

Implement doesn't just mean 'do'. It means to put a plan or a system into action. If you use this word in a B2 speaking exam, the examiner knows you understand process and organization.

Reflect doesn't just mean 'show'. It means to be a mirror of a situation. Using this allows you to connect two complex ideas (e.g., an election and a regional trend) without using basic words like "and" or "because."

🛠️ Practical Application

To reach B2, stop searching for the "biggest" word and start searching for the "most accurate" word.

  • A2: The government wants to start a new law.

  • B2: The government intends to implement a new law.

  • A2: This problem shows that people are angry.

  • B2: This problem reflects the general frustration of the public.

Vocabulary Learning

run-off (n.)
A second election held when no candidate wins a required majority in the first round.
Example:Since no candidate won more than 50% of the vote, the election will go to a run-off.
ideological (adj.)
Based on or relating to a system of ideas and ideals, especially concerning economic or political policy.
Example:The two parties have deep ideological differences regarding how to handle healthcare.
extortion (n.)
The practice of obtaining something, especially money, through force or threats.
Example:Local businesses are struggling because of extortion by criminal gangs.
non-institutional (adj.)
Operating outside of established official organizations, laws, or traditional systems.
Example:The candidate's non-institutional approach challenged the traditional political establishment.
implement (v.)
To put a decision, plan, or agreement into effect.
Example:The government needs more funding to implement the new security measures.
radical (adj.)
Representing or supporting an extreme or fundamental change from the existing system.
Example:The company underwent a radical transformation to survive in the digital age.
C2

Analysis of the Colombian Presidential Run-off and the Ascendance of Abelardo de la Espriella

哥倫比亞總統 runoff 選戰分析與 Abelardo de la Espriella 的崛起

Introduction

Colombia is approaching a presidential run-off election characterized by a stark ideological divergence between the frontrunner, Abelardo de la Espriella, and Senator Ivan Cepeda.

哥倫比亞即將進入總統 runoff 選舉，領先者 Abelardo de la Espriella 與參議員 Ivan Cepeda 之間存在著明顯的意識形態分歧。

Main Body

The current electoral landscape is defined by a perceived shift toward right-wing governance across Latin America. Abelardo de la Espriella, a criminal defense attorney devoid of prior political office, secured 44 percent of the vote in the May primary. Recent polling by AtlasIntel indicates a projected support level of 52 percent for de la Espriella. His candidacy is predicated on a 'mano dura' security paradigm, which advocates for the construction of ten privately managed mega-prisons, the extension of custodial sentences, and the implementation of aerial glyphosate fumigation for coca eradication. This platform stands in direct opposition to the 'Total Peace' framework established by the administration of President Gustavo Petro, which emphasized negotiated settlements and rural land redistribution.

目前的選舉格局由拉丁美洲整體向右翼統治轉移的感知所定義。Abelardo de la Espriella 是一位不曾擔任過政治公職的刑事辯護律師，他在五月的初選中獲得了 44% 的選票。AtlasIntel 最近的民調顯示，de la Espriella 的預計支持率為 52%。他的競選基於一種「強硬手段」的安全範式，主張建設十座私營管理的巨型監獄、延長拘留刑期，以及實施空中噴灑草甘膦以剷除古柯鹼。這一政綱與總統 Gustavo Petro 政府建立的「全面和平」框架直接對立，後者強調協商解決方案與農村土地重新分配。

Stakeholder positioning reveals a significant segment of the electorate, particularly in central regions such as San Jose del Guaviare, transitioning toward de la Espriella due to the perceived failure of current security policies to mitigate extortion and territorial violence. While de la Espriella has received endorsements from former President Alvaro Uribe and U.S. President Donald Trump, analysts suggest his platform represents a departure from traditional 'Uribismo.' Jorge Mantilla characterizes this movement as a 'non-institutional right wing,' noting de la Espriella's adversarial relationship with the press and his proposed withdrawal from international bodies, including the United Nations and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights.

利益相關者的定位顯示，很大一部分選民，特別是在 San Jose del Guaviare 等中部地區，由於認為現行的安全政策無法緩解敲詐與領土暴力，而轉向支持 de la Espriella。雖然 de la Espriella 得到了前總統 Alvaro Uribe 和美國總統川普的背書，但分析師認為他的政綱代表了對傳統「烏里貝主義」的偏離。Jorge Mantilla 將此運動定義為「非制度化右翼」，並指出 de la Espriella 與媒體的對立關係，以及他建議退出包括聯合國和美洲人權法院在內的國際組織。

Institutional constraints may impede the execution of the candidate's proposed agenda. Legal analysts highlight that the Colombian Constitutional Court has previously restricted life imprisonment and aerial fumigation. Furthermore, operational limitations within the military and severe budgetary deficits are cited as primary obstacles to the large-scale implementation of his security strategies. Conversely, the continuity candidate, Ivan Cepeda, maintains a commitment to the negotiation-based approach of the current administration.

制度性的限制可能會阻礙該候選人擬定議程的執行。法律分析師指出，哥倫比亞憲法法院此前已限制了終身監禁和空中噴灑。此外，軍隊內部的運作限制與嚴重的預算赤字被列為大規模實施其安全策略的主要障礙。相反，延續性候選人 Ivan Cepeda 則維持對現屆政府基於協商之方法的承諾。

Conclusion

The Colombian electorate remains divided between a preference for continued diplomatic negotiations and a transition toward a radical, military-centric security apparatus.

哥倫比亞選民目前仍分裂於兩種選擇：一是傾向於繼續進行外交協商，二是轉向激進且以軍事為中心的安全體系。

Vocabulary Learning

The Architecture of Institutional Precision

To move from B2 to C2, a student must stop describing events and start describing mechanisms. The provided text is a goldmine for Nominalization and High-Density Lexical Bundles, a hallmark of C2 academic and diplomatic discourse.

⚡ The 'C2 Pivot': From Verbs to Nouns

B2 learners rely on verbs to drive action ("The candidates disagree on how to handle security"). C2 mastery involves transforming these actions into abstract concepts to create a more objective, authoritative tone.

Analyze this transformation from the text:

*"...characterized by a stark ideological divergence..."

Instead of saying "The candidates have very different ideas," the author uses "stark ideological divergence."

  • Stark (Adjective): Adds a layer of absolute contrast.
  • Ideological (Modifier): Categorizes the nature of the conflict.
  • Divergence (Nominalization): Turns the act of 'diverging' into a state of being, allowing it to be the object of the sentence.

🔍 Deciphering Complex Collocations

C2 proficiency is marked by the ability to use precise modifiers that restrict a general term to a specific professional context. Look at these pairings:

  • "Security paradigm" →\rightarrow Not just a 'plan,' but a foundational theoretical framework.
  • "Institutional constraints" →\rightarrow Not just 'problems,' but structural limits imposed by law or bureaucracy.
  • "Non-institutional right wing" →\rightarrow A sophisticated way to describe a political movement that operates outside traditional party structures.

🛠 Linguistic Application: The 'Formalist' Filter

To replicate this level of English, you must apply a filter of Analytical Detachment. Notice how the text avoids emotional language despite the volatility of the subject (prisons, fumigation, violence).

Comparison for Mastery:

  • B2: "De la Espriella wants to build big prisons because people think the current laws don't work."
  • C2: "His candidacy is predicated on a 'mano dura' security paradigm... due to the perceived failure of current security policies to mitigate extortion."

Key C2 Transition Phrases discovered here:

  • "Predicated on..." (Instead of 'based on')
  • "Impede the execution of..." (Instead of 'stop from doing')
  • "Maintain a commitment to..." (Instead of 'still want to')

Vocabulary Learning

divergence (n.)
A process or instance of diverging; a difference in opinion, interest, or character.
Example:The stark divergence in their political ideologies made a compromise nearly impossible.
predicated (v.)
Founded or based on a particular premise or set of conditions.
Example:The company's growth strategy is predicated on the assumption that consumer spending will increase.
paradigm (n.)
A typical example or pattern of something; a distinct set of concepts or thought patterns.
Example:The shift toward renewable energy represents a new paradigm in global power generation.
mitigate (v.)
To make something bad less severe, serious, or painful.
Example:The government implemented new zoning laws to mitigate the effects of urban sprawl.
adversarial (adj.)
Characterized by conflict, opposition, or hostility.
Example:The lawyer's adversarial approach during the cross-examination intimidated the witness.
impede (v.)
To delay or prevent someone or something by obstructing them; hinder.
Example:Heavy snowfall continued to impede the progress of the rescue teams.
apparatus (n.)
The complex structure of a particular organization or political system.
Example:The state's security apparatus was mobilized to maintain order during the protests.
Practice All words in a crossword→