Abelardo de la Espriela Wins Colombian Presidency
Abelardo de la Espriela, a conservative outsider, has been elected as Colombia’s next president, triumphing over far-left candidate Iván Cepeda in the presidential runoff held on Sunday.
The 47-year-old lawyer and businessman, often called “Tiger” due to his support for Donald Trump, will take office on August 7, following the departure of the outgoing Marxist president, Gustavo Petro.
Data from Colombia’s National Civil Registry indicated that 99.99% of votes had been counted by Sunday night. De la Espriela secured 49.66% of the votes while Cepeda garnered 48.70%. Voter turnout was reported at 63.60%, with around 26.45 million Colombians casting their ballots.
As of Monday morning, only three ballots from a total of 122,020 had yet to be counted, making up the remaining 0.01% of votes.
“Nearly 13 million Colombians trust us,” de la Espriela expressed on social media, alongside a video thanking his supporters. “Today marks the beginning of a new phase for our country, one built on the democratic will of millions who desire a safe and prosperous Colombia full of opportunities.”
Celebrating his victory in Barranquilla, the president-elect stated the conclusion of political rivalry, emphasizing service to the country. He reassured that he intends to govern for all Colombians and that there would be “no winners or losers” in his administration.
This victory, according to him, does not belong to a single individual, party, or region; rather, it is for the whole of Colombia. He framed the election as a pledge to restore dignity and hope to the nation, while also acknowledging the pressing need to tackle corruption and repair the health system, which has struggled in recent years.
Senator Iván Cepeda, who represented Petro’s outgoing coalition, indicated he would challenge certain aspects of the vote before fully acknowledging the results. While he recognized the trends in voting, he stated that the results were “not yet official and not binding.”
De la Espriela’s success emphasizes a shift towards conservative governance in Colombia, following Petro’s term as the nation’s first left-leaning president, who had been elected in 2022.
Donald Trump had previously highlighted the significance of this election for Colombia and its ties with the United States, declaring, “He won, big deal!”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio also congratulated the new president and mentioned the intent to collaborate closely with the new administration to enhance regional security, combat illegal immigration, and strengthen economic relations.
Other international leaders also extended their congratulations to de la Espriela, with many hailing the election as a choice for economic freedom and security, asserting a clear stand against organized crime and drug trafficking in the region.
“Today, the majority of Colombians have chosen the path of economic freedom,” remarked Argentinian President Javier Milei, expressing optimism for the future of freedom throughout Latin America.
