Colombians residing in New York are preparing for the presidential elections of the South American country, to be held this Sunday, May 29.
Every day I have the opportunity to see different news through international portals and follow up on all the candidates, the proposals and how it goes,” says Joan Sebastian Castaño, a Colombian voter.
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Queens neighborhoods with a large number of Colombian voters.
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In Jackson Heights, the New York neighborhood with perhaps the most Colombians, there are no partisan signs or any other clear sign of favoritism towards the presidential candidates. But everyone we talk to says they follow the electoral process closely.
For his stand, Osvaldo Martínez, explains about it: “Yes, I have been very attentive there through the news, how the candidates are going, the proposals, what they have and well, let’s hope that everything goes very well for the good of the country and all the people we meet abroad”.
According to statistics from the Colombian Registrar’s Office, until midnight last Monday, 18,000 Colombians abroad had voted. From Queens, several expressed their desire to vote and many took advantage of the week to vote early.
Colombians living in NY go to the local polls.
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“I just came from voting right now, because the elections are on Sunday, but here in New York we can go to the embassy,” explains Carlos García, a Colombian resident in NY. While for another Colombian resident of Queens: “I already voted, my whole family that is here is going to exercise it on Sunday; my daughters, all my family that is here. In Colombia, also on Sunday. And we have to go out to vote, go out and vote to defend democracy”.
The concern for improvements in the country does not stop and several expressed their feelings. “Unfortunately, [estoy] a little sad, the situation is very worrying. A lot of insecurity,” says Magnolia García, a Colombian who lives more in the area.
In the two voting points in the city, enabled by the Colombian consulate, it will operate from 8 in the morning until 4 in the afternoon this Sunday, May 29. The candidates most likely to win the contest are Gustavo Petro, Federico Gutiérrez and Rodolfo Hernández. The results will be known at night, once all the votes have been counted.
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