Colombia faces a pivotal presidential election this month that will determine whether the country continues its role as a global climate leader or pivots toward fossil fuel expansion under right-wing leadership. With incumbent President Gustavo Petro constitutionally barred from seeking a consecutive term, his Pacto Histórico party has nominated Iván Cepeda to carry forward policies that have included declaring part of the Amazon rainforest a fossil fuel-free zone and hosting the landmark COP16 biodiversity summit in Cali. Concern is mounting among environmentalists that US political pressure — including Donald Trump's talk of military intervention in Colombia — combined with strong far-right and centre-right candidates who support fracking and expanded oil extraction could reverse four years of internationally recognised climate progress.