Trump-backed political outsider wins Colombia election, initial count shows
Source: BBC
Trump-backed political outsider wins Colombia election, initial count shows
5 hours ago
Ione Wells
Barranquilla, Colombia
Right-wing candidate Abelardo de la Espriella has narrowly won Colombia's presidential election, an initial vote count shows, marking a dramatic shift in how the government will tackle the country's internal armed conflict and violence.
De la Espriella, who was endorsed by Donald Trump, has pledged a military crackdown on illegal armed groups, drug trafficking and crime. ... He appeared to defeat left-wing Iván Cepeda, a close ally of the president, Gustavo Petro.
De la Espriella said "today begins a new stage for our country, a stage built on the free and democratic will of millions of citizens who chose to believe in a great, safe, prosperous Colombia full of opportunities". ... With over 99% of votes counted, de la Espriella had won nearly 49.7% of the vote, while Cepeda won 48.7%, according to an initial count of the runoff election.
Cepeda has not conceded, saying the preliminary count was "not yet official or binding". ... "Once the official canvass takes place and its final result is produced, and the corresponding verifications have been carried out, we will recognize the official result that emerges from that structure." ... The verification process showed little difference to initial counting in the first round of voting on 31 May, Reuters news agency reported.
{snip}
Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clye4ky2yzpo
https://apnews.com/article/colombia-presidential-election-espriella-cepeda-petro-a20f9dca2f33a7c72cd7deaa04578e5b
Trump-backed de la Espriella holds razor-thin lead in Colombia’s election as rival challenges vote
By REGINA GARCIA CANO and ASTRID SUÁREZ
Updated 11:14 PM EDT, June 21, 2026
Comments 26
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Political outsider Abelardo de la Espriella held a razor-thin lead in Colombia’s presidential election with nearly all the votes counted Sunday, in a runoff vote marked by people’s fears of a renewed internal conflict.
A victory by de la Espriella would effectively be an indictment of the policies of outgoing President Gustavo Petro, whose protégé had promised to continue his agenda if he defeated his rival.
De la Espriella, a business owner and lawyer who earned U.S. President Donald Trump’s endorsement despite never having run for office, led progressive lawmaker Iván Cepeda taking 49.7% of the votes, with 99.9% of the results released by electoral authorities. Cepeda, Petro’s ally, earned 48.7% support. Election officials have not formally announced a winner.
{snip}
= new reply since forum marked as read
