China signals openness to Colombia’s Trump-backed president-elect despite US tilt

Right-wing candidate Abelardo de la Espriella, a lawyer and businessman endorsed by Donald Trump, appears to have narrowly won Colombia's presidential election in an initial count. De la Espriella, who pledged a military crackdown on illegal groups and crime, narrowly defeated left-wing rival Iván Cepeda. Cepeda has stated the preliminary count is not official or binding and has called for an audit of voting software, alleging some polling stations were compromised. De la Espriella, nicknamed "El Tigre," celebrated with supporters in Barranquilla, promising to govern for all Colombians. The close result highlights the country's division, with some supporters of Cepeda expressing unease and concerns about defending democracy.

Far-right millionaire Abelardo de la Espriella has won Colombia's presidential election by a narrow margin, according to preliminary results. De la Espriella, endorsed by former US President Donald Trump, narrowly defeated left-wing challenger Senator Ivan Cepeda, who was backed by outgoing President Gustavo Petro. This victory signals a potential shift in Colombia's economic, foreign, and domestic policies, moving away from Petro's focus on inequality and peace talks. De la Espriella has pledged to restore ties with Israel and move the Colombian embassy to Jerusalem. Cepeda has indicated his campaign is challenging the preliminary results, awaiting a final verified count. The election highlights a deeply polarized nation, with de la Espriella winning by less than 1 percentage point.

Far-right millionaire lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella has won Colombia's presidential runoff, narrowly defeating leftwing senator Iván Cepeda. With 99.65% of ballots counted, de la Espriella secured 49.65% of the vote, a margin of just over 248,000 votes. This victory signals a shift back to the right after four years of leftwing governance and aligns with a trend of far-right candidates winning elections across Latin America. De la Espriella, who campaigned on an "iron fist" approach to crime, promised to build mega-prisons and confront criminal groups militarily. Outgoing President Gustavo Petro alleged irregularities in the preliminary vote count, stating he would only recognize the official scrutiny process, which is expected to take two days.

China has congratulated Colombia on its presidential run-off election and stated its intention to work with the incoming government of president-elect Abelardo de la Espriella. Foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun made these remarks on Monday, following preliminary results that showed de la Espriella, a far-right lawyer, narrowly ahead of his leftist rival, Senator Ivan Cepeda. De la Espriella's campaign emphasized strengthening ties with the United States, including a proposed revival of the US-funded Plan Colombia program, and he received an endorsement from former US President Donald Trump. Despite the preliminary nature of the results and ongoing challenges and allegations of irregularities, Beijing expressed its view of the bilateral relationship from a "strategic height and long-term perspective."

Colombia is facing a pivotal presidential runoff election between conservative outsider Abelardo de la Espriella, known as "El Tigre," and leftist politician Iván Cepeda. De la Espriella's campaign, which has received a full endorsement from former U.S. President Donald Trump, focuses on law and order, cracking down on cartels, and strengthening U.S.-Colombia relations, appealing to voters frustrated with crime and economic uncertainty. He presents himself as a strong leader willing to confront elites, similar to El Salvador's President Bukele. Cepeda, from the outgoing socialist President Gustavo Petro's party, plans to continue the current administration's agenda and expand negotiations with armed groups. The election is seen as a critical choice between two distinct visions for Colombia's future, with de la Espriella advocating for free enterprise and security, while Cepeda represents a more state-interventionist and negotiation-focused approach.

Colombians are voting in a presidential run-off election between leftist lawmaker Ivan Cepeda and far-right lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella. The election follows a first round on May 31, 2026, where neither candidate secured an outright victory. Both candidates are campaigning on promises to address the country's persistent violence, though with vastly different approaches. Cepeda aims to continue the policies of the current progressive government, including dialogue with armed groups, while de la Espriella proposes a hardline stance on crime, inspired by El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele. The vote occurs amidst ongoing concerns about political polarization and a resurgence of violence a decade after a peace deal with the FARC.

Colombians are voting in a presidential run-off election on Sunday between progressive lawmaker Iván Cepeda and conservative outsider Abelardo de la Espriella. Both candidates are addressing voters' fears of renewed internal conflict and proposing strategies to prevent past violence. Cepeda aims to continue the outgoing leftist president's efforts, including dialogue with armed groups, while de la Espriella offers alternative solutions. The election follows a May 31 vote where these two candidates defeated nine others. The candidates are also presenting different approaches to the country's health system, public debt, and corruption.

Colombia is holding a presidential runoff election on Sunday, which is expected to significantly alter the country's approach to its ongoing armed conflict, currently at its most violent point since the 2016 Farc peace agreement. The frontrunner, far-right lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella, advocates for a return to full-scale military confrontation with armed groups, rejecting President Gustavo Petro's "total peace" plan of negotiation and disarmament. His opponent is leftwing senator Iván Cepeda, who supports continuing the "total peace" plan with modifications. De la Espriella's campaign has resonated with voters seeking quick solutions to violence and an anti-establishment figure, while Cepeda's campaign has struggled to attract centrist voters.

Colombia's presidential election is being shaped by the nation's escalating internal conflict, with a left-wing senator advocating for talks with armed groups facing an outsider endorsed by former US President Trump. The article highlights the growing impact of crime, with one couple reporting extortion attempts by individuals claiming to be from the FARC. Trump's endorsement of his chosen candidate, Abelardo de la Espriella, is framed as crucial for Colombia's relationship with the US, with Trump promising full support for de la Espriella and criticizing his opponent as a "radical left Marxist." Supporters of de la Espriella believe he possesses the necessary strength to combat drug trafficking and guerrilla groups, contrasting with his opponent's approach of engaging in dialogue with criminals.

Senator Ivan Cepeda has emerged as a frontrunner in Colombia's presidential election, representing the increasingly powerful left wing. His candidacy is seen as a continuation of the policies of outgoing President Gustavo Petro, Colombia's first left-wing president. Cepeda, a soft-spoken senator, has focused his platform on strengthening social programs and advancing agrarian reforms to reduce inequality. His political journey is deeply intertwined with Colombia's long-standing armed conflict, with his father having been assassinated for advocating for a negotiated peace. Cepeda will face Abelardo de la Espriella in the run-off election, offering a contrasting vision for the country.

Colombia's presidential runoff pits two candidates whose lives are deeply intertwined with the country's paramilitary groups. Abelardo de la Espriella, a far-right lawyer, began his career defending paramilitary leaders, while Iván Cepeda, a leftwing senator, became a human rights activist after his father was assassinated by individuals linked to a paramilitary group. The election comes amid a surge in violence following a 2016 peace agreement. De la Espriella advocates for a strong military response, while Cepeda supports continuing a "total peace" strategy involving negotiations with armed groups. The article highlights the historical role of paramilitaries in Colombia's conflict, their formation to combat leftwing guerrillas, and their involvement in drug trafficking and massacres.