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Trump-backed Espriella wins razor-thin Colombia presidential runoff

Lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella, who has never held public office, won Colombia's presidential runoff with 49.65 percent of the vote, narrowly defeating left-wing Senator Ivan Cepeda who took 48.70 percent. Espriella ran on a hardline pledge to wage war on drug cartels and guerrilla groups. Cepeda said he is awaiting official results.

Stock exchange trading floor in the evening, reflecting post-election market moves.
Stock exchange trading floor in the evening, reflecting post-election market moves.Photo: RDNE Stock project / Pexels
South China Morning Post3 h agoEC ICOL COLCAP
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According to official results reported by the South China Morning Post, with more than 99 percent of polling centres tallied, Abelardo de la Espriella was elected Colombia's new president with 49.65 percent of the vote. Left-wing Senator Ivan Cepeda trailed at 48.70 percent and said he is awaiting the final official results.

A flamboyant lawyer who has never held public office, Espriella ran his campaign on a pledge to wage a "harsh and remorseless war" against drug-running guerrilla groups and cartels. The candidate, openly endorsed by US President Trump, signalled a sharp break from the Petro government's recent policy of peace negotiations.

Bogota's COLCAP index rose 3 percent in electronic futures after results firmed, and the Colombian peso strengthened 2.4 percent against the dollar. Ecopetrol shares, having cleared political-uncertainty overhang, jumped 5.8 percent on the New York exchange in late trading.

GeopoliticsFXEnergyECICOLCOLCAPSouth AmericaSouth China Morning Post
Source: South China Morning Post
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This article is an AI-curated summary of the original story published by South China Morning Post. The illustration is a stock photo by RDNE Stock project from Pexels and is not from the original story.

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