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AP PHOTOS: Highlights from Day 11 of the Cannes Film Festival

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AP PHOTOS: Highlights from Day 11 of the Cannes Film Festival
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AP PHOTOS: Highlights from Day 11 of the Cannes Film Festival

2025-05-24 07:13 Last Updated At:07:21

CANNES, France (AP) — Much of the cinema world has descended on the Cannes Film Festival as the French Riviera extravaganza holds its 78th edition.

This gallery features daily highlights from the festival curated by Associated Press photo editors.

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Leonie Hanne poses for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film 'The Mastermind' at the 78th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (Photo by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP)

Leonie Hanne poses for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film 'The Mastermind' at the 78th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (Photo by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP)

Maria Braz poses for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film 'The Mastermind' at the 78th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Maria Braz poses for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film 'The Mastermind' at the 78th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Josh Pafchek, from left, Lera Abova, Jacnier, Talia Ryder, Eric Fellner, director Ethan Coen, writer Tricia Cooke, producer Robert Graf, Margaret Qualley, Aubrey Plaza and Charlie Day pose for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film 'Honey Don't!' at the 78th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (Photo by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP)

Josh Pafchek, from left, Lera Abova, Jacnier, Talia Ryder, Eric Fellner, director Ethan Coen, writer Tricia Cooke, producer Robert Graf, Margaret Qualley, Aubrey Plaza and Charlie Day pose for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film 'Honey Don't!' at the 78th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (Photo by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP)

Elle Fanning poses for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film 'The Mastermind' at the 78th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)

Elle Fanning poses for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film 'The Mastermind' at the 78th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)

Josh O'Connor, left, and Alana Haim pose for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film 'The Mastermind' at the 78th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (Photo by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP)

Josh O'Connor, left, and Alana Haim pose for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film 'The Mastermind' at the 78th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (Photo by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP)

Margaret Qualley poses for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film 'Honey Don't!' at the 78th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (Photo by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP)

Margaret Qualley poses for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film 'Honey Don't!' at the 78th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (Photo by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP)

Aubrey Plaza poses for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film 'Honey Don't!' at the 78th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)

Aubrey Plaza poses for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film 'Honey Don't!' at the 78th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)

Margaret Qualley poses for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film 'Honey Don't!' at the 78th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)

Margaret Qualley poses for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film 'Honey Don't!' at the 78th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)

Savana the dog attends the Palm Dog award ceremony at the 78th international film festival in Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Savana the dog attends the Palm Dog award ceremony at the 78th international film festival in Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Viola Davis poses for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film 'The Mastermind' at the 78th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Viola Davis poses for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film 'The Mastermind' at the 78th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Perle receives the Palm Dog award on behalf of Panda, who could not attend, during the Palm Dog award ceremony at the 78th international film festival in Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Perle receives the Palm Dog award on behalf of Panda, who could not attend, during the Palm Dog award ceremony at the 78th international film festival in Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Tito attends the Palm Dog award ceremony at the 78th international film festival in Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Tito attends the Palm Dog award ceremony at the 78th international film festival in Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Lola, centre, receives the Palm Dog award on behalf of Panda, who could not attend, during the Palm Dog award ceremony at the 78th international film festival in Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Lola, centre, receives the Palm Dog award on behalf of Panda, who could not attend, during the Palm Dog award ceremony at the 78th international film festival in Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Lola, centre, poses with the Palm Dog jury after accepting the Palm Dog award on behalf of Panda, who could not attend, during the Palm Dog award ceremony at the 78th international film festival in Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Lola, centre, poses with the Palm Dog jury after accepting the Palm Dog award on behalf of Panda, who could not attend, during the Palm Dog award ceremony at the 78th international film festival in Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Anthony Provost, centre, and Perle pose for photographers after receiving the Palm Dog award on behalf of Panda, who could not attend, during the Palm Dog award ceremony at the 78th international film festival in Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Anthony Provost, centre, and Perle pose for photographers after receiving the Palm Dog award on behalf of Panda, who could not attend, during the Palm Dog award ceremony at the 78th international film festival in Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Nala poses for a photo during the Palm Dog award ceremony at the 78th international film festival in Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Nala poses for a photo during the Palm Dog award ceremony at the 78th international film festival in Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Parinaz Izadyar poses for photographers at the photo call for the film 'Woman and Child' at the 78th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)

Parinaz Izadyar poses for photographers at the photo call for the film 'Woman and Child' at the 78th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)

Payman Maadi, left, and Parinaz Izadyar pose for photographers at the photo call for the film 'Woman and Child' at the 78th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)

Payman Maadi, left, and Parinaz Izadyar pose for photographers at the photo call for the film 'Woman and Child' at the 78th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)

Sinan Mohebi, from back left, Payman Maadi, director Saeed Roustayi, Parinaz Izadyar, Soha Niasti and Arshida Dorostkar, front, pose for photographers at the photo call for the film 'Woman and Child' at the 78th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)

Sinan Mohebi, from back left, Payman Maadi, director Saeed Roustayi, Parinaz Izadyar, Soha Niasti and Arshida Dorostkar, front, pose for photographers at the photo call for the film 'Woman and Child' at the 78th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)

Huang Jue poses for photographers at the photo call for the film "Resurrection" at the 78th international film festival in Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Huang Jue poses for photographers at the photo call for the film "Resurrection" at the 78th international film festival in Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Jackson Yee poses for photographers at the photo call for the film "Resurrection" at the 78th international film festival in Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Jackson Yee poses for photographers at the photo call for the film "Resurrection" at the 78th international film festival in Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Mark Chao poses for photographers at the photo call for the film "Resurrection" at the 78th international film festival in Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Mark Chao poses for photographers at the photo call for the film "Resurrection" at the 78th international film festival in Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Gengxi Li poses for photographers at the photo call for the film "Resurrection" during the 78th international film festival in Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Gengxi Li poses for photographers at the photo call for the film "Resurrection" during the 78th international film festival in Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Yongzhong Chen poses for photographers at the photo call for the film "Resurrection" at the 78th international film festival in Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Yongzhong Chen poses for photographers at the photo call for the film "Resurrection" at the 78th international film festival in Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Jackson Yee, from left, director Bi Gan and Shu Qi pose for photographers at the photo call for the film "Resurrection" at the 78th international film festival in Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Jackson Yee, from left, director Bi Gan and Shu Qi pose for photographers at the photo call for the film "Resurrection" at the 78th international film festival in Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Shu Qi poses for photographers at the photo call for the film "Resurrection" during the 78th international film festival in Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Shu Qi poses for photographers at the photo call for the film "Resurrection" during the 78th international film festival in Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.

Leonie Hanne poses for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film 'The Mastermind' at the 78th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (Photo by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP)

Leonie Hanne poses for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film 'The Mastermind' at the 78th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (Photo by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP)

Maria Braz poses for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film 'The Mastermind' at the 78th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Maria Braz poses for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film 'The Mastermind' at the 78th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Josh Pafchek, from left, Lera Abova, Jacnier, Talia Ryder, Eric Fellner, director Ethan Coen, writer Tricia Cooke, producer Robert Graf, Margaret Qualley, Aubrey Plaza and Charlie Day pose for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film 'Honey Don't!' at the 78th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (Photo by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP)

Josh Pafchek, from left, Lera Abova, Jacnier, Talia Ryder, Eric Fellner, director Ethan Coen, writer Tricia Cooke, producer Robert Graf, Margaret Qualley, Aubrey Plaza and Charlie Day pose for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film 'Honey Don't!' at the 78th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (Photo by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP)

Elle Fanning poses for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film 'The Mastermind' at the 78th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)

Elle Fanning poses for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film 'The Mastermind' at the 78th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)

Josh O'Connor, left, and Alana Haim pose for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film 'The Mastermind' at the 78th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (Photo by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP)

Josh O'Connor, left, and Alana Haim pose for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film 'The Mastermind' at the 78th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (Photo by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP)

Margaret Qualley poses for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film 'Honey Don't!' at the 78th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (Photo by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP)

Margaret Qualley poses for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film 'Honey Don't!' at the 78th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (Photo by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP)

Aubrey Plaza poses for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film 'Honey Don't!' at the 78th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)

Aubrey Plaza poses for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film 'Honey Don't!' at the 78th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)

Margaret Qualley poses for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film 'Honey Don't!' at the 78th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)

Margaret Qualley poses for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film 'Honey Don't!' at the 78th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)

Savana the dog attends the Palm Dog award ceremony at the 78th international film festival in Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Savana the dog attends the Palm Dog award ceremony at the 78th international film festival in Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Viola Davis poses for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film 'The Mastermind' at the 78th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Viola Davis poses for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film 'The Mastermind' at the 78th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Perle receives the Palm Dog award on behalf of Panda, who could not attend, during the Palm Dog award ceremony at the 78th international film festival in Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Perle receives the Palm Dog award on behalf of Panda, who could not attend, during the Palm Dog award ceremony at the 78th international film festival in Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Tito attends the Palm Dog award ceremony at the 78th international film festival in Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Tito attends the Palm Dog award ceremony at the 78th international film festival in Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Lola, centre, receives the Palm Dog award on behalf of Panda, who could not attend, during the Palm Dog award ceremony at the 78th international film festival in Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Lola, centre, receives the Palm Dog award on behalf of Panda, who could not attend, during the Palm Dog award ceremony at the 78th international film festival in Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Lola, centre, poses with the Palm Dog jury after accepting the Palm Dog award on behalf of Panda, who could not attend, during the Palm Dog award ceremony at the 78th international film festival in Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Lola, centre, poses with the Palm Dog jury after accepting the Palm Dog award on behalf of Panda, who could not attend, during the Palm Dog award ceremony at the 78th international film festival in Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Anthony Provost, centre, and Perle pose for photographers after receiving the Palm Dog award on behalf of Panda, who could not attend, during the Palm Dog award ceremony at the 78th international film festival in Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Anthony Provost, centre, and Perle pose for photographers after receiving the Palm Dog award on behalf of Panda, who could not attend, during the Palm Dog award ceremony at the 78th international film festival in Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Nala poses for a photo during the Palm Dog award ceremony at the 78th international film festival in Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Nala poses for a photo during the Palm Dog award ceremony at the 78th international film festival in Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Parinaz Izadyar poses for photographers at the photo call for the film 'Woman and Child' at the 78th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)

Parinaz Izadyar poses for photographers at the photo call for the film 'Woman and Child' at the 78th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)

Payman Maadi, left, and Parinaz Izadyar pose for photographers at the photo call for the film 'Woman and Child' at the 78th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)

Payman Maadi, left, and Parinaz Izadyar pose for photographers at the photo call for the film 'Woman and Child' at the 78th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)

Sinan Mohebi, from back left, Payman Maadi, director Saeed Roustayi, Parinaz Izadyar, Soha Niasti and Arshida Dorostkar, front, pose for photographers at the photo call for the film 'Woman and Child' at the 78th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)

Sinan Mohebi, from back left, Payman Maadi, director Saeed Roustayi, Parinaz Izadyar, Soha Niasti and Arshida Dorostkar, front, pose for photographers at the photo call for the film 'Woman and Child' at the 78th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)

Huang Jue poses for photographers at the photo call for the film "Resurrection" at the 78th international film festival in Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Huang Jue poses for photographers at the photo call for the film "Resurrection" at the 78th international film festival in Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Jackson Yee poses for photographers at the photo call for the film "Resurrection" at the 78th international film festival in Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Jackson Yee poses for photographers at the photo call for the film "Resurrection" at the 78th international film festival in Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Mark Chao poses for photographers at the photo call for the film "Resurrection" at the 78th international film festival in Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Mark Chao poses for photographers at the photo call for the film "Resurrection" at the 78th international film festival in Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Gengxi Li poses for photographers at the photo call for the film "Resurrection" during the 78th international film festival in Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Gengxi Li poses for photographers at the photo call for the film "Resurrection" during the 78th international film festival in Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Yongzhong Chen poses for photographers at the photo call for the film "Resurrection" at the 78th international film festival in Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Yongzhong Chen poses for photographers at the photo call for the film "Resurrection" at the 78th international film festival in Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Jackson Yee, from left, director Bi Gan and Shu Qi pose for photographers at the photo call for the film "Resurrection" at the 78th international film festival in Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Jackson Yee, from left, director Bi Gan and Shu Qi pose for photographers at the photo call for the film "Resurrection" at the 78th international film festival in Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Shu Qi poses for photographers at the photo call for the film "Resurrection" during the 78th international film festival in Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Shu Qi poses for photographers at the photo call for the film "Resurrection" during the 78th international film festival in Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

BOGOTÁ, Colombia (AP) — Colombians milled into voting stations on Sunday in the first round of the South American nation’s presidential election, choosing between candidates with radically diverging visions for the future of peace in a country haunted by decades of armed conflict.

The vote, seen as a referendum on outgoing President Gustavo Petro’s policies, comes 10 years after Colombia signed an historic peace pact with guerrillas of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC.

That agreement offered hope to break the nation out of a vicious cycle of fighting between rebel groups and the government but violence has roared back since then, coming to a head in the lead-up to the presidential vote. Criminal groups have increasingly launched drone strikes, armed attacks have plagued the race and last June, 39-year-old politician and presidential hopeful Miguel Uribe Turbay was fatally shot at a political rally.

In a country where the fight for peace has long been a part of the political ethos, the question of how to address the conflict is once again dividing the country.

The vote is slated to send a message to Latin America at a time voters are increasingly ditching leaders that pitched progressive policies, like providing opportunities to youths and rooting out corruption, to solve security ails, turning instead to heavy-handed security crackdowns like El Salvador's. It also comes as the Trump administration is placing renewed pressure on the region.

“Today's election isn't just important for us, it's important for all of Latin America,” said Juan Acevedo, a 62-year-old sociologist walking out of a voting station in Colombia's capital on Sunday morning. “Whoever wins here will suggest to the region if progressive policies will continue or if things are going to return to the right.”

There are 11 candidates running for president, but the election has basically turned into a three-horse race.

Senator and peace-builder Ivan Cepeda — a Petro ally — has led the polls and promises to carry on with Petro's “total peace” initiative to negotiate with the country’s remaining rebel groups and sign peace agreements with them in an effort to resolve the persistent crisis.

While the peace plan has largely failed as criminals have taken advantage of ceasefires with the government, Cepeda and Petro have maintained strong support among many because of progressive policies pushed forward under Petro, such as boosting the minimum wage.

Running against Cepeda are Abelardo de la Espriella and Paloma Valencia, who have vowed to come down on armed groups with a heavier hand.

De la Espriella — a bombastic lawyer known as “The Tiger” — has particularly gained traction among voters in recent weeks for pitching himself as an outsider keen on emulating the heavy-handed tactics used in El Salvador’s war on gangs, which sharply reduced gang violence but fueled accusations of human rights abuses.

Valencia is considered the political protege of Colombia's former president and strongman Álvaro Uribe, who governed from 2002 to 2010 with strong support from the United States and whose government beat back FARC rebels in an offensive that took a massive civilian toll.

Both de la Espriella and Valencia have touted their affinity for U.S. President Donald Trump even as he has taken a more aggressive stance toward Latin America than any U.S. president in decades and has pressured nations like Colombia, Ecuador and Mexico to more forcefully crack down on criminal groups.

If no candidate wins at least 50% of the vote — something extremely rare in Colombia — the two top vote-getters will face a runoff in June.

Maria Eugenia, a 57-year-old seamstress who was stitching a pair of jeans on Friday in downtown Bogotá, Colombia's capital, said she welcomed an all-out offensive on an expanding slate of criminal groups, regardless of the human cost.

While she approved of Petro’s pushes to improve the country's medical infrastructure, she said she was voting for de la Espriella because violence in rural areas of the country has gotten out of hand. She said negotiating peace pacts was simply “rewarding” armed groups.

“Of course, whenever you come down with a heavy hand, there’s always going to be debate,” she said. “But some people are going to have to fall to clean up what needs to be cleaned.”

Others, like Acevedo, the sociologist strolling out of a polling station on Sunday with packs of other voters, said a security crackdown like the one promoted by de la Espriella would only be returning to past military campaigns that he said only reinforced Colombia's cycle of violence.

He said he planned to vote for Cepeda, adding that while the government hasn't done a perfect job — failing to pass ambitious reforms and follow through on promises to reduce violence — it was better to continue pushing forward with their political coalition's efforts to take a different approach in addressing the country's violence.

He added that his main critique of Petro's administration was the power grabs made by criminal groups as they negotiated with the government. He said he hoped that if Cepeda won, he would strike a better balance between negotiating peace and maintaining control over those groups.

“We're a country that has lived through 60 years of conflict,” Acevedo said. “The danger here is that we return to the times where everyone is saying that the only way to solve our problems is with bullets and more war.”

Follow AP’s coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america

A voter marks a ballot during the presidential election in Bogota, Colombia, Sunday, May 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

A voter marks a ballot during the presidential election in Bogota, Colombia, Sunday, May 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Supporters of presidential candidate Ivan Cepeda of the ruling Historic Pact coalition gather outside the polling station where he voted during the presidential election in Bogota, Colombia, Sunday, May 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Supporters of presidential candidate Ivan Cepeda of the ruling Historic Pact coalition gather outside the polling station where he voted during the presidential election in Bogota, Colombia, Sunday, May 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Presidential candidate Ivan Cepeda of the ruling Historic Pact coalition gestures to supporters after voting during the presidential election in Bogota, Colombia, Sunday, May 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Presidential candidate Ivan Cepeda of the ruling Historic Pact coalition gestures to supporters after voting during the presidential election in Bogota, Colombia, Sunday, May 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Voters check polling information during the presidential election in Bogota, Colombia, Sunday, May 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Voters check polling information during the presidential election in Bogota, Colombia, Sunday, May 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

President Gustavo Petro shows a ballot during the presidential election in Bogota, Colombia, Sunday, May 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

President Gustavo Petro shows a ballot during the presidential election in Bogota, Colombia, Sunday, May 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Voters line up at a polling station during the presidential election in Bogota, Colombia, Sunday, May 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Voters line up at a polling station during the presidential election in Bogota, Colombia, Sunday, May 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella of the Defenders of the Motherland movement depart a polling station after voting during the presidential election in Barranquilla, Colombia, Sunday, May 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Ivan Valencia)

Presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella of the Defenders of the Motherland movement depart a polling station after voting during the presidential election in Barranquilla, Colombia, Sunday, May 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Ivan Valencia)

Soldiers patrol as voters arrive at a polling station during the presidential election in Barranquilla, Colombia, Sunday, May 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Ivan Valencia)

Soldiers patrol as voters arrive at a polling station during the presidential election in Barranquilla, Colombia, Sunday, May 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Ivan Valencia)

Electoral workers set up a voting center in preparation for Sunday's presidential election in Bogota, Colombia, Friday, May 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Electoral workers set up a voting center in preparation for Sunday's presidential election in Bogota, Colombia, Friday, May 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

A man rides his motorcycle past the ruins of homes destroyed five months earlier in an attack by dissidents of the former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, in Buenos Aires, Cauca, Colombia, Wednesday, May 20, 2026.(AP Photo/Santiago Saldarriaga)

A man rides his motorcycle past the ruins of homes destroyed five months earlier in an attack by dissidents of the former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, in Buenos Aires, Cauca, Colombia, Wednesday, May 20, 2026.(AP Photo/Santiago Saldarriaga)

Presidential candidate Sen. Paloma Valencia of the Democratic Center party waves supporters during a campaign rally in Bogota, Colombia, Sunday, May 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Ivan Valencia)

Presidential candidate Sen. Paloma Valencia of the Democratic Center party waves supporters during a campaign rally in Bogota, Colombia, Sunday, May 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Ivan Valencia)

Presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella of the Defenders of the Motherland movement and his running mate Jose Manuel Restrepo, left, raise their fit from behind a bullet proof booth during a campaign rally in Barranquilla, Colombia, Saturday, May 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

Presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella of the Defenders of the Motherland movement and his running mate Jose Manuel Restrepo, left, raise their fit from behind a bullet proof booth during a campaign rally in Barranquilla, Colombia, Saturday, May 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

Sen. Ivan Cepeda, presidential candidate of the ruling Historic Pact coalition, speaks to supporters during a campaign rally in Bogota, Colombia, Friday, May 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

Sen. Ivan Cepeda, presidential candidate of the ruling Historic Pact coalition, speaks to supporters during a campaign rally in Bogota, Colombia, Friday, May 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

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