Colombians in New York Vote Ahead of June 21 Runoff

Colombians in New York Make Their Voices Heard

Over four days, hundreds of Colombian immigrants lined up at the Colombian consulate in Manhattan to cast early votes in their country's presidential runoff. The election — set for June 21, 2026 — is a face-off between right-wing candidate Abelardo de la Espriella, who calls himself "el Tigre" (the Tiger), and left-wing Senator Iván Cepeda, who is backed by current Colombian President Gustavo Petro. De la Espriella led the first round with 43.7% of the vote; Cepeda came in second with 40.9%.

For many Colombian immigrants in New York, the vote is deeply personal. César Zuluaga, 62, came to the consulate with his wife and son. All three voted for de la Espriella. Their main concern: rising violence in Colombia. According to the Colombian think-tank Fundación Ideas Para la Paz, illegal armed groups grew by 23.5% in just one year under Petro's government, adding 5,000 new members. "Four years ago, I did not vote," Zuluaga said. "I came to vote today because I don't want the same thing to happen again."

Not everyone agrees. Andrés Pérez, 64, who is visiting New York from Sincelejo, Colombia, supports Cepeda. He credits Petro's government with raising Colombia's minimum wage to 2 million pesos (about $534 USD per month). He is also skeptical of de la Espriella's background as a criminal defense lawyer who represented high-profile clients. Juan Felipe Suarez, 34, a Forest Hills resident who has lived in New York for three years, voted for de la Espriella. He said Trump's support for the candidate could help Colombia avoid high tariffs and maintain a strong trade relationship with the United States.

Who Can Vote and Where

There are an estimated 1.2 million Colombian immigrants living in the United States, according to Pew Research. About 112,000 live in New York state alone. For early voting in New York, the Colombian consulate in Manhattan is the only location. More polling places will be available on Election Day, June 21, 2026. Colombian citizens — including those who also hold US permanent residency (a green card) or other immigration status — may be eligible to vote in Colombian elections. Voting in a foreign election does not automatically affect your US immigration status, but lawyers recommend checking your specific situation before participating.

What to Do

• If you are a Colombian citizen living in New York and want to vote, contact the Colombian consulate in Manhattan to confirm your eligibility and find out about Election Day polling locations.
• If you hold a green card or another US immigration status and are unsure whether voting in a foreign election affects your case, consult an immigration lawyer before casting your ballot.
• If you are in removal proceedings (the legal process where the government tries to deport you) or have a pending immigration application, lawyers recommend getting legal advice before taking any action that could be questioned later.
• Stay informed about immigration news today — changes in US-Colombia relations or US policy could affect visa processing, family reunification visas, or work permit (EAD) applications for Colombians in the US.