Colombia's Presidential Election Swings to Trump-backed Lawyer

WHO:

Fox News - Trump congratulated de la Espriella during a signing at the White House, stating, "He called me last night, and he thanked me for the endorsement. He won. He won the election."

CNN - De la Espriella refers to himself as “the Tiger” and calls his followers “the pack.”

CNN - De la Espriella holds US and Italian passports in addition to his Colombian citizenship.

CNN - De la Espriella's political movement is called “Defenders of the Homeland.”

CNN - Abelardo de la Espriella refers to himself as “the Tiger” and calls his followers “the pack.”

CNN - De la Espriella's vice president is former Finance Minister Jose Manuel Restrepo.

ABC News - Abelardo De la Espriella has no prior elected political experience.

ABC News - Abelardo De la Espriella, a right-wing lawyer and dual citizen of the U.S. and Colombia.

ABC News - Iván Cepeda, a long-time left-wing politician and senator.

ABC News - Trump, who endorsed De la Espriella.

ABC News - Gustavo Petro, the current president of Colombia.

ABC News - Elizabeth Dickinson, Bogotá-based deputy director for Latin America at the International Crisis Group.

ABC News - Marco Rubio, Secretary of State.

WHAT:

Fox News - De la Espriella led with 49.7% to Cepeda's 48.7% with 99.9% of votes counted.

Fox News - The first round of the election saw de la Espriella win 43.7% of the vote, while Cepeda received 40.9%.

CNN - De la Espriella has pledged to “disembowel the left.”

CNN - De la Espriella's campaign included promises of opening a series of mega-prisons.

CNN - Criminal groups in Colombia have recruited 5,000 new members last year alone, according to local security think tank Ideas For Peace Foundation.

CNN - Injuries and deaths from landmines in Colombia have risen 20% in the past years.

CNN - De la Espriella has promised to end “Total Peace” and launch an all-out offensive against criminal groups in close coordination with the US military.

CNN - De la Espriella has envisioned a “Plan Colombia 2.0” to tackle violence, referencing a past military cooperation plan between the US and Colombia.

Bloomberg Markets - Abelardo de la Espriella won one of the tightest presidential elections in Colombia’s history.

Bloomberg Markets - Colombian bonds rose after de la Espriella's victory, indicating a market-friendly shift.

ABC News - If confirmed, De la Espriella would become one of the most outspoken conservative leaders in Latin America.

ABC News - Rubio stated, "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."

ABC News - De la Espriella appears to have won Colombia’s presidential election with 49.7% of the vote, according to preliminary results.

ABC News - 99% of votes have been counted nationwide.

ABC News - De la Espriella campaigned on a tough-on-crime platform and promised to build 10 mega-prisons.

ABC News - Trump stated, “The results of this election are very important to the future of Colombia and its relationship with the United States.”

ABC News - Rubio congratulated De la Espriella and expressed that Colombia's "best days are ahead."

WHERE:

ABC News - Colombia, specifically referencing Bogotá.

WHEN:

ABC News - The runoff election took place on a Sunday, with results being reported shortly thereafter.

WHY:

Fox News - De la Espriella promised a return to an aggressive military campaign to reclaim territory from terrorist groups and cartels, and pledged to build "mega-prisons," citing the policies of El Salvador's Nayib Bukele as a model for eradicating criminal groups.

CNN - De la Espriella's political message is centered around a more muscular approach to security and crime, contrasting with outgoing President Gustavo Petro's inclusive strategy.

Bloomberg Markets - De la Espriella's election is expected to herald a swing back to business-friendly and pro-U.S. policies after four years of leftist rule.

ABC News - De la Espriella's election is expected to herald a swing back to business-friendly and pro-U.S. policies after four years of leftist rule.

ABC News - De la Espriella's campaign was inspired by the security policies of El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele amid rising violence in Colombia.

ABC News - Elizabeth Dickinson noted that half of Colombians voted for a “hard-handed security crackdown,” while the other half voted for social and economic reforms.

HOW:

CNN - De la Espriella's campaign was loud with noise but scant on details, and he has yet to publish a government plan.

CNN - De la Espriella has yet to publish a government plan.

CNN - De la Espriella's campaign included promises of quick fixes to issues stemming from the 2016 peace agreement and a focus on a crackdown on crime and armed conflict.

ABC News - De la Espriella's campaign strategy included a focus on security and crime reduction, aligning with pro-business and pro-U.S. policies.

(UPDATED June 23, 2026 01:37 UTC)

Trump congratulated de la Espriella during a signing at the White House, stating that de la Espriella thanked him for his endorsement after winning the election with 49.7% of the vote against Cepeda's 48.7%. In the first round, de la Espriella secured 43.7% while Cepeda garnered 40.9%. De la Espriella has promised to implement aggressive military strategies to reclaim territory from terrorist groups and cartels, as well as to build "mega-prisons," although his campaign has been criticized for lacking detailed government plans.

(UPDATED June 22, 2026 20:02 UTC)

De la Espriella, who refers to himself as “the Tiger” and calls his followers “the pack,” is leading a political movement known as “Defenders of the Homeland,” while holding both US and Italian passports alongside his Colombian citizenship. His campaign promises a tough stance on crime, including the opening of mega-prisons, and he has pledged to “disembowel the left,” contrasting sharply with the outgoing President Gustavo Petro's inclusive approach. Despite the rising violence in Colombia, with criminal groups recruiting 5,000 new members last year and a 20% increase in landmine injuries and deaths, De la Espriella has yet to publish a detailed government plan.

(UPDATED June 22, 2026 18:21 UTC)

Abelardo de la Espriella, who refers to himself as “the Tiger” and his supporters as “the pack,” has pledged to end “Total Peace” and launch a vigorous offensive against criminal groups, working closely with the US military. His vision includes a “Plan Colombia 2.0,” aimed at addressing violence through a more forceful security strategy, which stands in stark contrast to outgoing President Gustavo Petro's inclusive approach. De la Espriella's campaign has emphasized quick solutions to challenges arising from the 2016 peace agreement, focusing on a crackdown on crime and armed conflict.

(UPDATED June 22, 2026 14:51 UTC)

Abelardo de la Espriella has won one of the tightest presidential elections in Colombia's history, marking a significant political shift in the country. Following his victory, Colombian bonds saw an increase, signaling a market-friendly change ahead. This election is anticipated to bring a return to business-friendly and pro-U.S. policies after four years of leftist governance.

(UPDATED June 22, 2026 08:49 UTC)

Abelardo De la Espriella, who has no prior elected political experience, is poised to become one of the most outspoken conservative leaders in Latin America if confirmed. Senator Marco Rubio expressed that the Trump Administration looks forward to collaborating with De la Espriella's incoming administration to enhance regional security cooperation, curb illegal immigration to the United States, and bolster economic ties. His election is anticipated to signal a return to business-friendly and pro-U.S. policies following four years of leftist governance.

(UPDATED June 22, 2026 03:29 UTC)

Abelardo De la Espriella has reportedly won Colombia’s presidential election with nearly fifty percent of the vote, according to preliminary results, as 99% of ballots have been counted. Trump endorsed De la Espriella, who campaigned on a tough-on-crime platform, promising to build ten mega-prisons, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio congratulated him, expressing optimism for Colombia's future. Elizabeth Dickinson highlighted the division among voters, with half supporting a hard-handed security approach and the other half favoring social and economic reforms.