Trump congratulates Colombia presidential candidate
Trump congratulated Abelardo De La Espriella, known by many as ‘El Tigre,’ following an initial ballot count. While not officially called, the narrow lead signals a potential rightward shift for Colombia. (Reuters.)
Progressive challenger Iván Cepeda formally conceded the presidential race on Wednesday, handing the victory to conservative outsider Abelardo de la Espriella, who had been endorsed by U.S. President Donald Trump.
The concession followed days of uncertainty after Cepeda initially refused to acknowledge defeat despite early results showing de la Espriella in the lead.
“At this stage of the vote count, I have decided to accept the result emerging from that process, which indicates that Abelardo de la Espriella is the new President of the Republic,” Cepeda said in an address to the nation.
“I do so as an act of democratic responsibility.”
TRUMP SAYS COLOMBIA’S ‘EL TIGRE’ WILL BE A ‘GREAT PRESIDENT’ AS SOCIALIST OPPONENT LAUNCHES LEGAL CHALLENGE
Ivan Cepeda speaks during a campaign rally in Cali, Colombia, on June 6, 2026. (AFP via Getty Images)
Abelardo de la Espriella, a businessman and lawyer who had never previously run for office and is affectionately called “El Tigre” by supporters, defeated Senate member Iván Cepeda by a margin of just one percentage point, according to official tallies.
“The vote count shows an extraordinarily narrow margin between the two options vying for the trust of the Colombian people,” he said. “Less than 1% of the vote separates the candidacies that participated in this contest.”
In his concession speech, Cepeda alleged that de la Espriella’s win was tainted by “foreign interference” from the United States and the possible use of artificial‑intelligence tools to sway voters.
“During this process, we denounced the open and improper foreign interference in Colombia’s internal affairs—particularly the interventions by the United States government, and specifically the interventions by President Donald Trump in support of Abelardo de la Espriella’s candidacy,” he said.
He further accused the opposing campaign of widespread vote‑buying and unethical tactics that he said undermined the legitimacy of the election results.
ANTI‑CARTEL HARDLINER CHANNELS TRUMP IN BID TO END COLOMBIA’S LEFTIST ERA IN PIVOTAL ELECTION
Abelardo de la Espriella delivers a speech to supporters during a campaign rally in Palmira, near Cali, Colombia on May 14, 2026. (Joaquin Sarmiento/AFP via Getty Images)
President‑elect de la Espriella is scheduled to assume office in August for a four‑year term.
“Starting August 7, we will work with determination to consolidate a common agenda that strengthens the security, freedom, and prosperity of our nations,” he posted on X.
The election result marks a decisive end to outgoing President Gustavo Petro’s leftist policies and the agenda that Cepeda had promised to continue if elected.
Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro, left, and President Donald Trump are shown in separate photographs. (Mauro Pimentel/AFP via Getty Images; Francis Chung/Politico/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Petro’s signature “total peace” strategy aimed to open negotiations with remaining guerrilla groups, drug cartels, and armed paramilitaries in an effort to end Colombia’s decades‑long internal conflict.
In contrast, de la Espriella has pledged a more hardline posture, promising a militarized crackdown on criminal organizations, the construction of mega‑prisons, expansion of fossil‑fuel fracking, and a revived aerial glyphosate spraying program to eradicate coca crops.
The president‑elect, who holds dual Colombian and U.S. citizenship, also indicated plans to add Colombia to the Trump‑named “Shield of the Americas,” a proposed coalition to coordinate anti‑crime efforts across Latin America.
