Abelardo De la Espriella, a right-wing lawyer with no prior elected political expertise, seems to be Colombia’s subsequent president, in accordance with preliminary outcomes from Sunday’s runoff election.
If formalized, he would defeat Senator Iván Cepeda, a long-time left-wing politician, receiving 49.7% of the vote, with 99% of votes counted nationwide.
De la Espriella, a conservative lawyer and twin citizen of the U.S. and Colombia, campaigned on a tough-on-crime platform and has promised to construct 10 mega-prisons within the South American Nation, impressed by the safety insurance policies of El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele, amid rising violence within the nation.
De la Espriella was endorsed by Trump earlier this month.
“The outcomes of this election are essential to the way forward for Colombia and its relationship with the USA,” Trump wrote on Reality Social. “Due to his great accomplishments in life, and his political help for me personally, it’s my honor to provide Abelardo my full and complete endorsement.”
Presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella of the opposition Defenders of the Motherland motion arrives to vote within the runoff election in Barranquilla, Colombia, Sunday, June 21, 2026. ((AP Picture/Rodrigo Abd)
Rodrigo Abd/AP Picture/Rodrigo Abd
Colombia’s present president, Gustavo Petro, solid doubt on the election outcomes on social media, citing alleged “irregularities” at polling stations.
Elizabeth Dickinson, Bogotá-based deputy director for Latin America on the Worldwide Disaster Group, stated that half of Colombians voted for a “hard-handed safety crackdown,” whereas she stated the opposite half voted for social and financial reforms.
“Colombians voted for 2 extremes, and whoever governs goes to must discover a midpoint that unites the nation,” Dickinson instructed ABC Information.
If confirmed, De la Espriella would turn out to be one of the outspoken conservative leaders in Latin America and is anticipated to strengthen ties with the Trump administration.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio congratulated De la Espriella in a submit on X, saying that Colombia’s “finest days are forward.”
“The Trump Administration seems ahead to working intently along with your incoming administration to advance regional safety cooperation, finish unlawful immigration to the USA, and strengthen our financial ties,” Rubio stated.
