Loading…
Abelardo de la Espriella narrowly won Colombia's presidential election on June 26, defeating progressive Iván Cepeda by less than one percentage point (about 251,000 votes). U.S. President Donald Trump had endorsed de la Espriella, who is a dual U.S.-Colombian citizen and Republican Party member. Source: Foreign Policy, AP News
Cepeda conceded on Wednesday, saying he would lead a "democratic, vigilant and constructive opposition." Source: AP News The election set a record turnout of over 26 million voters. Foreign Policy notes that the geographic polarization mirrors the 2022 election, with left-wing support holding in rural areas but losing ground in some urban districts.
De la Espriella has pledged a hardline security approach:
He lacks a congressional majority, which may push him toward executive decrees. Source: Foreign Policy On foreign policy, he has more leeway.
U.S. Immigration authorities detained a Colombian immigrant who had criticized de la Espriella, using the immigrant's political speech as grounds for deportation. Democratic lawmakers called for an investigation into de la Espriella's ties to shell companies in the U.S.
“De la Espriella has vowed to work closely with the Trump administration, joining its Shield of the Americas anti-gang initiative”
“Progressive candidate Iván Cepeda on Wednesday conceded Colombia’s presidential election to Abelardo de la Espriella, a conservative outsider who was endorsed by U.S. President Donald Trump.”
“De la Espriella, 47, will begin a 4-year term Aug. 7.”
“His margin of victory was some 250,000 votes, less than a percentage point ahead of left-wing candidate Iván Cepeda”