Democratic lawmakers urge probe into Trump’s backing of Colombia’s De la Espriella

The Democratic lawmakers’ letter, addressed to senior officials at the State Department, Treasury and Justice Department, describes President Donald Trump’s public endorsement of Abelardo de la Espriella as a development of "grave concern." It argues that the president’s social-media posts amount to brazen interference in another country’s presidential election and contradict long-standing US diplomatic practice.

The signatories also recall that De la Espriella has defended figures linked to the now-defunct AUC paramilitary federation, and they want the financing of multiple Florida properties registered to the candidate and his associates examined. According to El País, Trump’s remarks have been read in Bogotá as direct alignment with a campaign that has promised to dismantle the current government’s social policies.

Colombia’s electoral calendar took shape with a first-round campaign that opened on 31 May; a runoff is expected at the end of June. The Washington row keeps allegations of foreign meddling in Latin American elections in the spotlight; Democratic senators have separately asked the White House to clarify recent statements on Brazil and Mexico.