Leftist and populist businessman head to a runoff in surprise Colombia election result

Colombians will choose between a leftist former rebel and a populist businessman in June after the presidential election was forced to a run-off vote.

Presidential candidate Gustavo Petro won just over 40 per cent of the first round vote. Source: EPA / Mauricio Duenas Castaneda/EPA

Key Points

• Colombians will choose between a leftist former rebel and a populist businessman in June after the presidential election was forced to a run-off vote
• Gustavo Petro had 40.3 per cent of votes, Rodolfo Hernandez won 28.1 per cent

Colombian leftist Gustavo Petro has come out on top in the first round of the Andean country's presidential election and will face a surprise contender - businessman Rodolfo Hernandez - in a second round on 19 June.

Mr Petro, a former member of the M-19 guerilla movement who has vowed profound economic and social change, had 40.3 per cent of votes, national registry office tallies showed on Sunday, with 96.2 per cent of ballot boxes counted.

Mr Hernandez, the septuagenarian former mayor of Bucaramanga, won 28.1 per cent.

Businessman Rodolfo Hernandez, candidate for the presidency of Colombia, speaks at a campaign event in Cartagena, Colombia. Source: EPA / RICARDO MALDONADO ROZO/EPA

Mr Petro, a 62-year-old former mayor of Bogota, had consistently led opinion polls on promises to redistribute pensions, offer free public university and battle deep inequality.

He has promised to fully implement a 2016 peace deal with the FARC rebels and seek peace talks with the still-active ELN rebels, and halt all new oil and gas development.

Youth is a significant demographic for Mr Petro, who had about 50 per cent support in opinion polls from the country's youngest voters.

Mr Hernandez rose in the polls only in the last two weeks, boosted by his colourful social media presence and anti-corruption promises.

He has promised to end privileges for officials and govern with austerity.

Despite Mr Hernandez's anti-corruption rhetoric, he is facing an investigation over allegations he intervened in a rubbish collection tender when he was mayor of Bucaramanga to benefit a company his son had lobbied for.

Mr Hernandez denies the accusations and insists they are designed to derail his bid or the presidency.

Mr Hernandez, who is financing his own campaign, has relied heavily on social media, posting eccentric videos on TikTok, including one of him riding an electric scooter.