Abelardo de la Espriella leads Colombia’s presidential race after first round
According to a single-source ABC News report, pro-Trump lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella has taken the lead in Colombia’s presidential race after the first round of elections over the weekend. De la Espriella captured nearly 44% of the vote, while progressive Sen. Iván Cepeda, who had led polling, won less than 41%. Cepeda and his ally, President Gustavo Petro, questioned the results without providing evidence. Cepeda called for a debate ahead of a June 21 runoff, and de la Espriella responded on X, challenging him to first acknowledge the results. Political analyst Sergio Guzmán said de la Espriella’s win reflects a shift in public opinion that will be difficult to overcome, making him the likely favorite. The Colombian peso and markets rose Monday, likely due to de la Espriella’s business-friendly proposals, including opening the country to fracking. The 47-year-old, known as “El Tigre,” has never held office and pitches himself as an outsider who would follow El Salvador President Nayib Bukele’s anti-gang model.
What’s reported
Abelardo de la Espriella won nearly 44% of the vote in the first round; Iván Cepeda won less than 41%.
Cepeda and President Gustavo Petro questioned the results, but the article states they provided no evidence.
De la Espriella replied on X to Cepeda’s call for a debate: “Are you ready, coward? … First, acknowledge the election results and let’s debate right now.”
The runoff is scheduled for June 21.
Political analyst Sergio Guzmán said de la Espriella’s win is a shift in public opinion that is very difficult to overcome, making him the likely favorite.
Colombian markets and the peso jumped on Monday, attributed to de la Espriella’s rollback of business regulations and openness to fracking.
De la Espriella has never held office and lived in Italy before running.
He promises to follow El Salvador President Nayib Bukele’s war on gangs and open 10 mega-prisons.
Miroslav Jenca, head of the UN verification mission in Colombia, observed a commitment to orderly voting and called for a peaceful campaign.
Conflicting accounts
Cepeda and Petro questioned the election results without providing evidence. De la Espriella’s campaign has not issued a formal response beyond the X post.
Key figures
Abelardo de la Espriella: pro-Trump lawyer, presidential candidate, known as “El Tigre”
Iván Cepeda: progressive senator, second-place finisher
Gustavo Petro: Colombian president
Sergio Guzmán: political analyst
Miroslav Jenca: head of the United Nations verification mission in Colombia
Renata Segura: director of International Crisis Group’s Latin America and the Caribbean Program
Yolanda Peréz: 64-year-old voter in Bogotá
Miguel Maheca: 20-year-old first-time voter
Sources: abcnews.com
