Colombia’s “Tiger” Wins: Trump‑backed Candidate Takes the Presidency

The 2026 Colombian presidential race was too close to call until the final count, but the right‑wing outsider Abelardo de la Espriella edged out the left‑wing contender Iván Cepeda by just 0.3% of the vote. With 99% of ballots counted, Espriella held 49.7%—milliseconds ahead of Cepeda’s 48.7%.

Espriella, a lawyer and businessman who has never held elected office, promised a hard‑edge military crackdown on drug cartels and illegal armed groups. He has pledged to work closely with the U.S. and build deep‑cut prisons in the jungle, ending what critics say is a “total peace” strategy that only lets rebels expand.

The campaign’s fireworks were fueled by Trump’s endorsement, who announced on Truth Social that Espriella would “stop illegal immigration, crack down on crime and drugs, and restore LAW AND ORDER.”

Celebrations and Clashes

Victory rallies in Barranquilla turned into a parade as supporters cheered, many wearing the national yellow football jersey, and chanting “Petro out!”. Some wore hats reminiscent of Trump’s rallies, waving signs reading “Make Colombia Great Again!”.

But the jubilation was short‑lived. Later that night, protestors in Cali clashed with police, burning U.S. flags and demanding the result be challenged. The outgoing president, Gustavo Petro, called on Twitter for an audit of the voting software and hinted at a legal fight.

What This Means for Colombia

The new leader’s policies could double the number of armed groups in Colombia’s long‑running internal conflict, but supporters say it will bring stability. Critics warn that cutting any negotiations with rebels could spark violence, especially with cartels like the ELN and FARC dissidents stepping up.

While some see the result as a step toward prosperity, others fear a deepening divide. The protests show that Colombia’s political landscape is as volatile as its history of guerrilla warfare.