Colombians living in Canada lined up Sunday to cast their vote in a presidential election that some say could define the future of their home country. 

In London, Ont., five long lines wrapped around St. Andrew Memorial Church with many eager voters wearing Colombia’s neon yellow soccer jerseys or t-shirts with stripes representing the country’s yellow, blue and red flag. Drivers on their way out of the packed parking lot honked their horns and cheered out the window, expressing their excitement. 

It’s the first time Colombians can vote in the country’s election in London, although polling stations have been available in other Canadian cities in the past.

“I’m here because it’s important. I have a right to vote for my country that I was born in,” Andrea Giraldo said.

“I’m so proud of being Colombian and I don’t think I would want to be from any other country in the world. I want my country to do good, I want to see it thrive, and be a place where people don’t feel like they need to leave it,” Giraldo said.

Giraldo and her parents typically drive to Toronto to vote in the election. She said she was surprised by how many Colombian Londoners came out to vote in the city on Sunday.

“I ran into some Canadians who asked what’s happening, and I was explaining it to them. They were like, ‘Wow, I wish the Canadian votes were like this,’” she said. “It just shows how important our country is to Colombians.”

Although more than a dozen candidates are running for president, the election has turned into a polarizing three-way race. 

Incumbent president Gustavo Petro cannot seek re-election, but is backing candidate Iván Cepeda. A three-term senator, Cepeda has promised to carry forward Petro’s economic reforms and pursuit of peace negotiations with rebel groups. 

Running against him are right wing candidates Abelardo de la Espriella and Paloma Valencia, who are both promising to suspend peace talks and instead confront rebel groups with a heavy hand. 

Lawyer and businessman De la Espirella is running as an independent. Valencia represents the Democratic Center party and would be the country’s first female leader if successful. 

If none of the candidates win 50 per cent of the vote or more, Colombians will head back to the polls and the top two candidates will face a runoff in June. 

Safety, freedom top issues

Leading up to the election, Giraldo said she has been thinking about safety as a top issue, and that de la Espirella will get her vote for that reason. 

“It’s a very unsafe place right now. I know I don’t live there but my grandparents are there, my cousins are there, my uncles and my aunt are there. Their safety matters to me,” she said. “Abelardo de la Espriella and the vice president’s morals of putting family first and the safety of the country first is very important.”

Karina Guzman said she’s also voting for de la Espirella, saying she hopes the country finds greater freedom, pointing to Venezuela and El Salvador. 

“I think the change should be for the future generations. Venezuela got bad, people regretted to vote for socialism, but now they are quite free,” Guzman said.

Meanwhile, Luz Francy Montaño said she’s supporting Cepeda in this election, with the hope that he continues Petro’s legacy.

“I want to try to keep Colombia growing,” she said between tears. “It’s emotional because the country is divided. I think the president right now is doing good things for Colombia.”

“I have hope for this and I want my candidate to win today,” she said. 

Looking to the future

High school student Sarah Munar travelled to London from Windsor with her parents, who are both voting in the election. While she’s still too young to vote, Munar said she wanted to come out to support change in her home country.

“I want my country to be better and to have a better president,” she said, adding that she is excited for when she can vote in the next election.

Longtime London resident Gio Marin said his vote will go towards a candidate that he believes will help his family, friends and the next generation of young Colombians have a life more similar to the one he’s living today.

“After living in Canada for over 27 years, I wish my country to be as close as possible to Canada. It’s a dream, but everybody has the right to dream,” he said.