Colombia election: Hard-right candidate claims victory
Right-wing presidential candidate, Abelardo de la Espriella, won 49.66% of the Colombians' votes, according to preliminary results. Outgoing President Gustavo Petro said "neither candidate can
Right-wing presidential candidate, Abelardo de la Espriella, won 49.66% of the Colombians' votes, according to preliminary results. Outgoing President Gustavo Petro said "neither candidate can be declared president." Colombians voted in a presidential runoff election on Sunday, and according to preliminary results, a White House-backed conservative has a razor-thin lead. With 99.96% of votes counted, hard-right Abelardo de la Espriella had won 49.66%, according to data from the national registry office. Leftist rival Ivan Cepeda had 48.70% of votes going his way, less than a percentage point separating them. He has not conceded defeat. Outgoing President Gustavo Petro said on social media that "neither candidate can be declared president." He said the vote count would determine who would lead and that he will "abide by the judges' decision." Petro also appealed for the public to remain calm. "The reality is that our country is split down the middle, and foreign interference is taking away our freedom," Petro said on X.
De la Espriella says Trump congratulated him De la Espriella said that he received a congratulatory call from US President Donald Trump. "I just spoke a few minutes ago with the president of the United States, President Donald Trump, and he has expressed his support, his recognition of our victory," de la Espriella said. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he had called de la Esprillla to "congratulate him on his election victory." "The Trump Administration looks forward to working closely with your incoming administration to advance regional security cooperation, end illegal immigration to the United States, and strengthen our economic ties. Colombia's best days are ahead," Rubio said on X. Who are the frontrunners Abelardo de la Espriella has often portrayed himself as a tough crime fighter and has also spoken in support of Trump. De la Espriella calls himself "The Tiger" and won May's first round vote, promising to wage war on cartels and guerrilla groups.
The 47-year-old businessman's campaign style has drawn comparisons with right-wing president of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele. "Today is the most important ballot in Colombia's history," he said as he cast his vote in Barranquilla. Paramilitary past hangs over Colombia's runoff election To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Left-leaning senator, Ivan Cepeda, has sought the backing of progressives and the poor, with promises to expand social reforms. He has the backing of incumbent President Gustavo Petro. "When we win, we are going to govern for the whole country and not just for one sector," 63-year-old Cepeda told journalists, as his supporters chanted: "The people are with you!" Presidential candidate Ivan Cepeda promised to expand social reforms Image: Lucas Aguayo Araos/Anadolu/picture alliance Colombia's security challenge Colombia has struggled with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, guerrilla movement for decades. In 2016, a historic peace accord was signed, in which the FARC agreed to fully disarm.
The BriefWire