On May 27, Colombia will hold its first presidential election since the historic peace deal with Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebels. With the future of the peace deal at stake, it’s is one of the most pivotal elections in the nation’s history. Fittingly, it has divided the electorate more than any other election in decades, as center-ground candidates are pushed aside.

It is hardly surprising that Iván Duque, the far-right candidate of the confusingly named Democratic Center party, is topping the polls. Despite his lack of experience, he can count on support from the many opponents of the peace process, including former president Alvaro Uribe. But the identity of the other front-runner is surprising: former mayor of Bogotá and one-time M-19 guerrilla Gustavo Petro now stands closer to the presidency than any left-wing candidate in Colombian history.

The ongoing peace process potentially represents a massive turning point for Colombia. After more than a half century of war, FARC laid down its arms and began a process of transformation into a legitimate political party. With the establishment of a special justice system to investigate atrocities on all sides and the promise of land restitution to millions of displaced people, this is a historic opportunity for reform. Homicide rates are the lowest in decades and military casualties are minimal.