Abelardo de la Espriella, a Trump-backed outsider, wins Colombian presidential election
Right‑wing lawyer and businessman Abelardo de la Espriella has narrowly emerged victorious in Colombia’s runoff, a result that signals a dramatic shift in the country’s approach to internal armed conflict and crime. With 99% of votes counted, de la Espriella holds 49.7% of the vote against former left‑wing candidate Iván Cepeda’s 48.7%, according to preliminary tallies.
De la Espriella, who carries the nickname “El Tigre,” has pledged a hard‑liner military strategy, vowing to crack down on illegal armed groups, narcotics trafficking and public insecurity. He also promised to build mega‑prisons in the jungle, shrink the state apparatus and reform the health system.
The candidate has been endorsed by former United States President Donald Trump, who highlighted de la Espriella’s plan to “stop illegal immigration, crack down on crime and drugs, and restore law and order” and assured full U.S. backing. Trump’s support positioned the run‑off as part of a broader rightward swing across Latin America.
Supporters erupted in Barranquilla, waving Colombian flags and wearing the national football jersey while chanting “Petro out!” and “Make Colombia Great Again.” Some spectators also sported hats reminiscent of U.S. President Trump’s style. De la Espriella addressed a crowd of tens of thousands, emphasizing his commitment to a new era of security and prosperity.
Cepeda and his allies have not yet conceded, arguing the preliminary count is “not yet official or binding.” President Petro, a close ally of Cepeda, threatens to challenge the result on X, calling for a full audit of the electoral software and alleging potential compromises at polling stations.
The narrowing margin – less than one percent – raises concerns about polarization and possible unrest. In Cali, streets erupted in protest, with demonstrators burning U.S. flags and police deploying tear gas to quell crowds. Meanwhile, several Latin American leaders, including Argentina’s Javier Milei and Chile’s José Antonio Kast, welcomed de la Espriella’s victory as a victory for security and economic freedom.
Background on de la Espriella: The candidate, a lawyer‑businessman, first appeared in Colombian politics as a defender for high‑profile clients such as Alex Saab, an ally of Venezuela’s ousted President Nicolás Maduro, and a suspect in major fraud cases. He has drawn comparisons to El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele both for security stances and his distinctive beard. He arrived in the U.S. in 2023, gaining citizenship after years spent in Miami, and received high‑profile endorsement from President Trump, who touted his support in an intense campaign that focused on law‑and‑order themes.
Colombia’s internal conflict, which has dragged on for decades, intensified in recent years. Armed groups such as FARC dissidents, the ELN, and the Clan del Gulfo have doubled in membership over the past five years, competing for lucrative cocaine routes and mining sites. Critics of President Petro’s “total peace” strategy argue that it has allowed armed groups to leverage ceasefires to expand influence.
De la Espriella’s immediate agenda promises the end of negotiated talks with illicit groups and a close partnership with the United States to strengthen Colombia’s military capacity. His campaign also includes promises to modernize the penal system and create an extensive network of prisons in jungle regions.
The nation watches closely as the final official canvass is conducted. Regardless of the outcome, the election marks a pivotal moment in Colombia’s political trajectory and its relationship with Washington.
