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Colombian right-wing candidate De La Espriella wins tight presidential race

Colombian right-wing candidate De La Espriella wins tight presidential race

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Abelardo de la Espriella won Colombia’s presidential runoff, defeating left‑wing senator Iván Cepeda by a margin of 673,000 votes. He secured 49.66 % of the vote, while 1.6 % of ballots were cast blank. The victory marks a swing back to the right after four years in office, and de la Espriella’s campaign received backing from U.S. President Donald Trump.

Abelardo De La Espriella
Senate
1. Make no mistake, Mr. Cepeda. You already know how fiercely the tiger roars.
2. Pack your bags and prepare to become the opposition.
3. Today is the most important ballot in Colombia's history.
4. I just spoke a few minutes ago with the president of the United States, President Donald Trump, and he has expressed his support, his recognition of our victory.
5. I will govern for all Colombians, for those who voted for me and for those who chose the other candidate.
6. Mine will be an absolutely democratic government and a guarantor of freedom and institutional order.
7. For those who have sown violence, terror, drug trafficking, and corruption all these years, their time is up!
8. Today begins a new stage for our country, a stage built on the free and democratic will of millions of citizens who chose to believe in a great, safe, and prosperous Colombia full of opportunities.
9. To solve Colombia's problems, we need to build a very close alliance with the US, which is not only our main trading partner but also our most important strategic ally in the fight against organised crime.
10. I want to speak especially to those who did not vote for me … Your rights, even if you did not vote for me, will be respected. Your opinions will be heard. You will never have to fear thinking differently.
Ivan Cepeda
1. We are very hardened. Don't come threatening us. Neither your roars nor your screams frighten us.
2. Let me be perfectly clear: We are half of this country in political terms, and we have a long history of resistance.
3. We will not allow democracy to be violated.
4. We will not allow ... the rollback of the social gains we have achieved.
5. We are open to dialogue; we are willing to reach agreements as long as they are respectful, genuine, and reflected in political actions that benefit the nation and preserve the historical progress we have already achieved.
6. Once the count has been completed and its final result is known, and the corresponding checks have been carried out, we will acknowledge the official result.
Marco Rubio
Republican Party
1. The Trump Administration looks forward to working closely with your incoming administration to advance regional security cooperation, end illegal immigration to the United States, and strengthen our economic ties. Colombia's best days are ahead.
Gustavo Petro
United Socialist Party
1. There are fascist groups waiting for a confrontation today.
2. The reality is that our country is split down the middle, and foreign interference is taking away our freedom.
3. No president can be declared yet. It is the scrutiny process that determines who the president is.
Sergio Guzman
Colombia Risk Analysis
1. Given how closely contested this election was, Colombia is entering a very challenging period.
Will Freeman
Council on Foreign Relations
1. Ironically, De la Espriella's iron-fist message performed best in the core of the country, not the periphery, which bears the brunt of Colombia's violence.
2. It's regional, not just ideological, polarization; or rather, the two overlapping.
Daniela Oliveros
1. Abelardo, at this moment, is giving us above all a sense of security, employment, and dignity.
2. I believe a lot in the country, I believe a lot in freedom.
Viviana Olivos
1. It is a victory for Colombia — a change after four lost years with no clear direction.

Colombian right-wing candidate De La Espriella wins tight presidential race

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