Colombia Election
Presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella of the Defenders of the Motherland movement addresses supporters from inside a bulletproof booth after leading the first round of the presidential election and advancing to a runoff in Barranquilla, Colombia, Sunday, May 31, 2026.
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Pro-Trump lawyer Aberaldo de la Espriella leads Colombia’s presidential race after the first round of elections over the weekend. He won nearly 44% of the vote, surpassing progressive senator Iván Cepeda, who had led in polls but received less than 41%. De la Espriella, known for his tough stance on crime, is expected to gain more support in the June 21 runoff. His rise reflects a shift in Latin America towards leaders favoring heavy-handed crime policies. Cepeda, who supports peace negotiations, faces a challenging path ahead. Experts say replicating El Salvador's security model in Colombia will be difficult.
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