Trump Publicly Endorses Colombian Right-Wing Candidate Abelardo De La Espriella

On Tuesday night, former U.S. President Donald Trump entered Colombia’s presidential race, offering a spirited endorsement of right‑wing candidate Abelardo De La Espriella. His support follows a pattern of Trump’s involvement in foreign elections during his second term.

Through a post on Truth Social, Trump congratulated De La Espriella, who advanced to a runoff in June after securing a second‑round spot. Trump praised the candidate—affectionately known as “El Tigre” or “The Tiger”—for his achievements and alignment with Trump’s policies, declaring it an honor to give a “complete and total endorsement.”

The former president also labeled De La Espriella’s opponent in the runoff, Senator Iván Cepeda, a “radical left Marxist.” Cepeda’s campaign has not yet responded to these remarks.

De La Espriella publicly thanked Trump for the “decisive support,” pledging to bring unprecedented U.S.–Colombia cooperation. “It is essential to understand that the United States is key in fighting crime, narcoterrorism, and liberating Colombia from enduring pain and violence,” he said in a Colombian interview.

An endorsement from the U.S. president is rare and can be a wildcard in Latin American elections. Last year, Trump’s endorsement helped a right‑wing candidate win in Honduras, and he also supported Argentine President Javier Milei in a pivotal midterm election.

De La Espriella, a 47‑year‑old criminal defense attorney with no prior elected office, built his campaign on outsider appeal, cost‑cutting measures, and a hard‑line security stance. His messaging resonated with voters concerned about rising organized crime and a resurgent conflict.

In Sunday’s runoff, De La Espriella captured just over 43 % of the vote, enough to trigger a June 21 second round against Cepeda. Cepeda, 63, a respected senator known for his advocacy on Colombia’s armed conflict victims, ran a low‑profile campaign focused on the legacy of President Gustavo Petro’s social policies.

De La Espriella’s wealth and past international ties, including associations with figures like Alex Saab, have attracted scrutiny from Colombian media. Meanwhile, U.S. lawmakers such as Representative Maria Elvira Salazar and Senator Bernie Moreno have publicly backed De La Espriella, citing vetted sources describing him as “impeccable.” Moreno, originally Colombian, visited the country during the weekend to observe the campaign’s integrity, noting a smooth and orderly election process.

President Petro has alleged electoral irregularities, raising concerns about potential unrest. Cepeda acknowledged the results, while Petro called on Colombians to exercise free will in upcoming votes.

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