Trump-backed lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella wins Colombia runoff
Right-wing lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella, endorsed by U. S. President Donald Trump, won Colombia's presidential runoff against leftist senator Iván Cepeda. The BBC noted that the election was dominated by contrasting approaches to the surge in violence, with Cepeda favoring negotiations and Espriella advocating a military crackdown. CNN reported that the runoff would pit the far-right outsider against the left-wing senator, highlighting sharply divergent visions for security, the economy and relations with the United States.
CBS News added that Colombians were set to vote in a runoff pitting the far-left candidate against the far-right lawyer, each promising different approaches to the country's security and social challenges. The Guardian later announced that Espriella was elected president by a narrow margin, while incumbent President Gustavo Petro questioned the preliminary results. CBS News reported that Espriella secured 49. 66% of the vote, prompting protests and raising expectations of a shift toward right-wing policies.
