Democrats Condemn Colombian President’s Endorsement of U.S. Candidate
On Thursday, Democrats from the House Foreign Affairs Committee expressed their disapproval of Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella. They took issue with his endorsement of Rep. María Elvira Salazar (R-FL), claiming it amounts to “interference in American elections.”
Ranking Member Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY) shared a statement criticizing de la Espriella’s actions as potentially harmful to the already strained U.S.-Colombia relations, which have suffered over the tenure of former President Gustavo Petro. He asserted that it’s the American people who determine their representatives, not foreign leaders. Interestingly, the Democrats’ statement didn’t mention that de la Espriella is also an American citizen.
“It’s unacceptable for a foreign leader to meddle in American elections,” Rep. Meeks said. He further emphasized the longstanding friendship between the United States and Colombia, underscoring democracy as a foundational element. “I greatly value our alliance, and I worry that any actions threatening bipartisan support could be damaging,” he added. The endorsement from de la Espriella, who is leading Colombia, could jeopardize that support, as reiterated by Meeks, who made it clear that it’s for the American public to choose their representatives.
He concluded his statement by suggesting that de la Espriella’s involvement could undermine the “bipartisan goodwill” held towards Colombia.
De la Espriella’s endorsement appeared on Rep. Salazar’s social media on October 12, coinciding with Columbus Day, which is recognized in many Hispanic cultures as a day of acknowledging cultural ties. Salazar responded to the endorsement appreciatively, expressing her own support for the newly elected Colombian president.
In a video message, de la Espriella referred to Salazar as “Colombia’s best friend in the United States Congress,” acknowledging her consistent support for Colombia.
President de la Espriella holds dual citizenship in the U.S. and Colombia, officially becoming a naturalized American citizen in 2023. Colombia permits its leaders to retain dual nationality. Meanwhile, his predecessor, Gustavo Petro, also held dual citizenship and had highlighted it after losing his U.S. visa in 2025 due to inflammatory comments made in New York City.
During his time at the U.N. General Assembly, Petro attended a rally disparaging Israel, suggesting that the U.S. military should “disobey the orders of Trump.” Following these remarks, Petro’s visa was revoked by the U.S. State Department.
Despite the controversy surrounding Petro’s comments, Rep. Meeks didn’t appear to tackle that issue during his statements about de la Espriella. He has previously criticized Colombian conservatives for their views on former President Biden, advocating instead for Petro during his time in Congress.
In 2020, Rep. Meeks and his colleague Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) published a column condemning several Colombian conservatives for their opposition to Biden, labeling it a “deeply troubling trend.” They argued that these assertions mislead both American voters and Colombian citizens.
While it was noted that Petro had endorsed Biden in his capacity as a senator, the column didn’t address his interference in that election equally. Later, in a 2023 hearing, Meeks defended Petro’s leadership in light of concerns regarding potential socialist influences on democracy in Colombia. He spoke favorably of Petro’s administration, labeling it as “diverse, inclusive, and progressive,” a perspective that starkly contrasted with accusations made by Vice President Francia Márquez regarding her experiences with racism.
De la Espriella assumed the presidency in August after successfully defeating Petro’s chosen successor, radical leftist Sen. Iván Cepeda. Due to Colombian law, Petro was barred from seeking a second term. The newly elected president campaigned on promises to mend ties with the U.S. and tackle organized crime, especially concerning Marxist guerrillas and drug trafficking.
