Colombia Votes Sunday: Dry Law, Closed Borders, What to Expect
Colombia · News
Key Facts
- The vote. Colombia holds its presidential runoff on Sunday, June 21, between De la Espriella and Cepeda.
- Dry law. Alcohol sales are banned nationally from Saturday 6pm to Monday midday under Decree 0612.
- Closed borders. The decree orders land and river border crossings shut over the weekend.
- No phones at the polls. Phones and cameras are barred inside polling stations on voting day.
- Heavy security. Authorities have deployed well over 100,000 troops nationwide.
As Colombia’s runoff approaches this Sunday, the country is wrapping the vote in a weekend of restrictions. For foreigners living in Bogotá, Medellín or beyond, the day’s rules — a dry law, closed borders and a polling-station phone ban — are worth planning around.
The vote and the decree
Colombia chooses a president on Sunday, June 21, in a runoff between the right’s Abelardo de la Espriella and the left’s Iván Cepeda. The winner takes office in August for the 2026 to 2030 term.
Decree 0612 of 2026 sets the rules for the day. It is the framework behind the restrictions described below.
The dry law
A national ley seca, or dry law, halts alcohol sales from 6pm on Saturday, June 20, until midday on Monday, June 22. It covers shops, bars and restaurants nationwide.
Bogotá’s exact start time was adjusted in the run-up, so confirm the local hours where you live. The simplest advice is to buy anything you want before Saturday evening.
Closed borders and transport
The decree also orders land and river border crossings closed over the weekend. If you have travel plans involving a land border, check before you go.
Public transport, by contrast, must run at full capacity on voting Sunday, with operators warned against cutting routes. Getting around the cities to vote or move about should be straightforward.
No phones inside polling stations
On voting day, phones and cameras are banned inside polling stations during voting hours. The aim is to protect the secrecy of the ballot.
Voters may use a phone only to display a digital ID where needed. If you are accompanying a Colombian friend or family member, keep that rule in mind.
Security and the at-risk regions
Authorities have deployed well over 100,000 troops and flagged dozens of municipalities as at risk, concentrated in departments such as Cauca, Tolima and Valle. Candidates have traded allegations of armed-group pressure on voters in the Pacific southwest.
For most of the country, the day is expected to pass peacefully under heavy guard. The real risk is concentrated in rural conflict zones, not the big cities.
What it means for foreigners
Foreign residents do not vote in Colombia’s presidential elections, so the day’s main effect is logistical. Plan errands around the dry law, avoid land borders, and expect a heavy security presence.
In Bogotá and Medellín, treat Sunday as a charged civic day and keep to well-trafficked areas. Wait for official results rather than early projections, and avoid the Pacific southwest if you can.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Colombia’s runoff?
Sunday, June 21, 2026, between De la Espriella and Cepeda. The winner is inaugurated in August for the 2026 to 2030 term.
When does the dry law run?
Nationally from 6pm on Saturday to midday on Monday. Bogotá’s start time was adjusted in the run-up, so confirm your local hours.
Are the borders really closed?
The decree orders land and river crossings shut over the weekend. If your plans involve a land border, check the latest before travelling.
Can I bring my phone to a polling station?
Phones and cameras are banned inside polling stations during voting hours, except to display a digital ID. The rule protects ballot secrecy.
Is it safe for foreigners?
In the main cities, generally yes, under heavy security. Avoid the Pacific southwest, where armed-group risk is highest, and treat the day as a charged civic occasion.
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