Trump-Endorsed Political Newcomer Certified Winner in Colombian Presidential Election

A political newcomer who has the endorsement of U.S. President Donald Trump has been declared Colombia’s next president after his progressive opponent conceded the June 21 runoff.

On Wednesday, electoral officials certified Abelardo de la Espriella, a 47-year-old lawyer and entrepreneur, as the winner over Sen. Iván Cepeda by approximately 251,000 votes, or approximately 1 percentage point. De la Espriella received 49.66 percent to Cepeda’s 48.7 percent in the final tally of more than 26 million votes cast.

Cepeda, a 63-year-old lawmaker from the ruling Historic Pact coalition and a close ally of outgoing President Gustavo Petro, accepted the outcome and took the Senate seat reserved for the runner-up. 

“We assume with serenity, responsibility, and absolute resolve—and let there be no doubt about it—the role that circumstances demand of us,” Cepeda said in an address to the nation. “We will exercise a democratic, vigilant and constructive opposition.”

De la Espriella, who leads the Defenders of the Motherland movement and is known as “The Tiger,” promised decisive action against violence, drug trafficking, and corruption during his campaign.

De la Espriella has said he will construct 10 mega-prisons modeled on the approach of Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele and will enter Colombia into the “Shield of the Americas,” the security coalition supported by Trump to target criminal networks across the region. 

His campaign has presented the incoming government’s purpose as working “for national unity, with the people and for the people” while protecting “the right to political opposition and peaceful protest, within the framework of the Constitution, the law and respect for democratic institutions.”

De la Espriella has built businesses in clothing, wine, rum, and restaurants, and had never run for office before this cycle. He secured Trump’s endorsement after the first round and later received congratulations from the U.S. president, who posted that de la Espriella “Won, BIG!”

Trump had said the contest was critical to U.S.–Colombia relations and called Cepeda a “Radical Left Marxist.” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with de la Espriella to offer congratulations, with State Department officials saying the outcome reflects the will of the Colombian people and demonstrates readiness to advance security cooperation, curb illegal immigration, and strengthen economic ties.

“The Trump Administration looks forward to working closely with his incoming administration to advance our bilateral and regional security cooperation, end illegal immigration to the United States, and strengthen the economic ties between our two countries,” spokesperson Tommy Pigott said. “Through our close bilateral cooperation, and under the leadership of President-Elect De La Espriella, Colombia’s best days are ahead.”

More than 426,000 voters selected a third, unnamed option on the ballot, registering dissatisfaction with both candidates. Nearly 29,000 cast blank ballots. 

Authorities conducted a full recount before issuing the final declaration. Cepeda initially said he would wait for that process to be concluded, at which point, he conceded without further legal challenge.

De la Espriella will assume office Aug. 7 for a four-year term. He has begun assembling a cabinet and says his administration will be a clean break from recent years of left-leaning governance.