Political Newcomer Abelardo de la Espriella Leads in Colombian Presidential Election

BOGOTÁ, Colombia — Political newcomer Abelardo de la Espriella is leading in Colombia’s presidential election with nearly all votes counted. The runoff election stirred concerns about a potential return to internal conflict. A win for de la Espriella would signal a rejection of outgoing President Gustavo Petro’s policies, despite Petro’s protégé promising continuity if victorious.

De la Espriella, a business owner and lawyer, received support from U.S. President Donald Trump despite lacking political experience. With 49.7% of votes and 99.9% of results reported, he leads progressive lawmaker Iván Cepeda, who has 48.7%. Formal results are pending. “I appear before you tonight to announce the most important news of my life: The Colombian people have entrusted me with the supreme honor of serving them as their next president,” de la Espriella said in Barranquilla, ensuring unity and no retaliation.

Cepeda remains skeptical, claiming the count “unofficial and nonbinding,” and vowed to contest results from over 30,000 voting stations. In Colombian history, a recount has never reversed a presidential outcome. “We will not allow…the rollback of the social gains we have achieved,” Cepeda asserted. Petro also expressed intentions to challenge the outcome.

Following the announcement, cries of “Petro out!” echoed in Bogotá’s streets. The candidates presented contrasting strategies to address the relentless violence, such as car bombs and kidnappings, that plagued Colombia. The elected president will assume office on August 7.

Crime-Fighting Tactics

De la Espriella, 47, advocated a stringent crime approach, targeting drug trafficking, and proposed ending Petro’s peace talks with armed groups. He plans to establish megaprisons, inspired by Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele’s policies, which have lowered crime rates but drawn human rights concerns.

With dual U.S. and Colombian citizenship, de la Espriella is a Trump supporter affiliated with the Republican Party. “We have had an armed conflict and a drug trafficking problem for too long. This election is crucial,” remarked 72-year-old retired economist Víctor Duque in Bogotá.

Notable congratulations poured in from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and leaders like Javier Milei of Argentina and Daniel Noboa of Ecuador. “The Trump Administration looks forward to working with your incoming administration…Columbia’s best days are ahead,” Rubio commented on X. Trump also expressed approval on his social platform.

First Round Discrepancies

In the first voting round, Cepeda garnered 41% against de la Espriella’s 44%. Petro questioned the results without evidence, as Cepeda, once leading in polls, failed to secure an outright win and trailed de la Espriella.

Yolanda Hernández, 49, cast her vote for de la Espriella after choosing Petro in 2022. She cited Petro’s unmet promises due to congressional hurdles as a reason for her choice. “We want change… (Petro) promised to lower the cost of services and food, yet prices rose,” she said.

Will Freeman from the Council on Foreign Relations remarked that the results highlight that “the country has not shifted overwhelmingly or decisively” for or against Petro’s or de la Espriella’s visions. He noted regional differences in opinions.

Ongoing Conflict

The election occurs a decade after Colombia’s peace deal with FARC, which aimed to end violent conflict. However, violence surged as many rebel groups pursued drug trafficking over ideological causes. Illegal groups now total over 27,000 members.

Colombian authorities recorded 14,780 homicides last year, the highest since 2015, primarily due to illegal armed group conflicts. Among the casualties was conservative presidential hopeful Miguel Uribe. Extortion cases reached 13,417 in 2025, more than double in 2015.

De la Espriella, known as “The Tiger,” is set on tackling organized crime and building 10 megaprisons, indicating a tough stance against criminal activities.