Trump-backed lawyer wins Colombia presidential runoff by narrow margin
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Abelardo de la Espriella secured 49.66% of the vote in Colombia's runoff, prompting protests and raising expectations of a shift toward right-wing policies.
Abelardo de la Espriella, a 47-year-old lawyer with backing from former U.S. President Donald Trump, was declared the winner of Colombia's presidential runoff with 49.66% of the vote, edging out left-wing Senator Ivan Cepeda, who received 48.70%. The tight result sparked demonstrations in major cities, including Barranquilla, Cali and Bogotá, where some protesters clashed with police and burned flags.
De la Espriella addressed supporters from behind bullet-proof glass, saying the country was entering a new era and pledging to combat drug-running guerrilla groups. He later emphasized that his government would be democratic, respect all citizens and provide security, employment and dignity.
The victory marks a return to right-wing leadership in Colombia, a country that has been governed by right-leaning parties for most of the past two centuries. During the campaign, de la Espriella indicated he would end peace talks with dissident groups and pursue a 90-day U.S.-supported air-strike campaign against them.
International reaction included comments from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who expressed optimism about future cooperation with the incoming administration. Cepeda, who has not yet conceded, said he would acknowledge the official result once the count is finalized and urged his supporters to respect the outcome.
More than 26 million voters, representing 63% of the electorate, participated in the election, and the margin between the candidates was about 247,000 votes. Colombian electoral history shows that recounts have never overturned a presidential result.
