Trump-backed candidate Abelardo de la Espriella wins Colombia election, initial count shows
Initial counts show Trump-backed conservative outsider Abelardo de la Espriella narrowly defeated left-wing rival Ivan Cepeda in Colombia's presidential election. Cepeda has rejected the result, calling the preliminary tally "not yet official or binding".
Colombia's National Civil Registry posted De la Espriella at about 50.4% of the vote against 49.6% for Cepeda, after exit polls had suggested a dead heat. Late returns from eastern departments tipped the result.
The conservative ran on a platform of tougher security policy, suspension of peace talks with the ELN guerrilla group and a renewed economic agenda with the United States. Trump, on Truth Social, called De la Espriella "a courageous friend" within hours of polls closing. Cepeda supporters held overnight gatherings in Bogotá and Medellín; the Constitutional Court is expected to weigh recount petitions.
The Colombian peso strengthened 1.8% against the dollar after results emerged. Investors are watching for the new government's Pacific Coalition reform package and the renegotiation of the Andean Trade Promotion Agreement with Washington.
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