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Colombia's leftist candidate Iván Cepeda lost the presidential runoff by less than a percentage point to ultraright lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella, sparking protests in Bogotá and Cali. Cepeda urged his supporters to remain peaceful and said he would only recognize the final count expected in days. Source: elnacionalve
In the tightest ballot in Colombian history, De la Espriella—backed by Donald Trump—won with a razor-thin margin. Thousands took to the streets, burning US flags and clashing with riot police. Cepeda called for calm: "My call is to keep calm and tranquility, because that is our nature." Source: listindiario
De la Espriella vowed to "gut" the left and threatened Cepeda: "The tiger can still bite harder than it bit in the polls." Cepeda retorted: "Do not threaten us. We are not afraid of your roars." Source: elnacionalve President Gustavo Petro warned the country is "on the brink of violent fragmentation." Source: listindiario
Trump said he looks forward to a "powerful relationship" with De la Espriella, who plans to crack down on crime with US support. The right-wing Centro Democrático party offered its congressional backing, potentially giving the president-elect a majority. Source: elnacionalve De la Espriella also accused Petro of being a "mafia boss" and threatened to extradite him.
“Mi llamado es a guardar la calma y la tranquilidad, porque ese es nuestro talante”
“Doctor Cepeda, ya usted sabe lo duro que muerde el tigre. Y le digo algo. El tigre todavía puede morder más duro de lo que ha mordido en las urnas”
“A nosotros que no nos amenace. Se lo digo con toda claridad”
“Trump expresó en su red Truth Social el lunes que espera 'con ganas' poder trabajar con De la Espriella 'para construir una relación poderosa entre Colombia y Estados Unidos'”