Colombia’s New President: Trump‑Backed Outsider Abelardo de la Espriella Wins

Tue Jun 23 2026 16:44:25 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Thirteen‑year political shift: Trump‑endorsed candidate de la Espriella takes Colombia’s helm with a promised military crackdown amid volatile armed conflict.

Abelardo de la Espriella, a lawyer‑businessman with no prior political experience, narrowly clinched Colombia’s presidential election after a runoff against Iván Cepeda. Backed by Donald Trump, he pledged a hard‑line military response against drug cartels and guerrilla groups, sparking celebrations and also fierce protests across the country. While his supporters cheer a new era of security, critics warn that the razor‑thin margin risks further polarization and unrest. The vote marks a significant swing toward right‑wing governance in Latin America amid growing concerns about crime and immigration.

Abelardo de la Espriella claims victory in Colombia’s presidential race

The initial vote count in Colombia’s final election round shows the right‑wing candidate Abelardo de la Espriella edging past Iván Cepeda by just under one percent, with 49.7% of the vote compared to Cepeda’s 48.7%. De la Espriella, who was praised by former U.S. President Donald Trump, vowed a “military crackdown” on illegal armed groups, drug trafficking and organised crime.

Celebrations erupted on the streets of Barranquilla as supporters draped yellow football jerseys, waved flags, sang chants and poured fireworks. Many wore Trump‑style hats and shouted “Make Colombia Great Again.” Trump responded on Truth Social with a brief “He Won, BIG!” post.

Cepeda has not conceded, claiming the preliminary results are not official. He flagged concerns about a potential audit of voting software, though no evidence of tampering has been presented.

The battle will shape how Colombia confronts its long‑running internal armed conflict. De la Espriella has pledged to abandon negotiations with guerrilla groups and instead deploy a stricter military strategy, including building mega‑prisons in jungle regions and collaborating closely with U.S. forces.

Political observers note a broader rightward shift across Latin America, with leaders like Javier Milei in Argentina and José Antonio Kast in Chile supporting aggressive security policies. The election underscores a regional trend towards hard‑line stances amid fears over crime, migration and drug trafficking.