01.06.2026 07:40
Far-right candidate Abelardo de la Espriella, who finished first in the first round of Colombia's presidential election with 43.62% of the vote, harshly reacted to President Gustavo Petro's questioning of the election results. Ruling party candidate Ivan Cepeda, on the other hand, alleged irregularities in the vote count and votes not included in the system, demanding a review. Since no candidate exceeded 50%, de la Espriella and Cepeda will face off in the second round scheduled for June 21.
Abelardo de la Espriella, the candidate of the Homeland Defenders Movement (Defensores de la Patria), who received the most votes in the first round of Colombia's presidential election, addressed his supporters in the city of Barranquilla.
Reacting to President Gustavo Petro's statements regarding the election results, de la Espriella claimed they were the winners of the first round and used harsh language.
De la Espriella said, "Gustavo Petro, do not dare ignore the election results, because the people will rise up and punish you. Mr. Petro and Ivan Cepeda, you are a pair of thugs we will retire."
CALLED ON THE US
In his speech, de la Espriella also addressed the US, requesting close monitoring of the election process. De la Espriella stated, "We will punish Colombia's enemies. Today, the people have shown their will. For the first time in political history, an independent, outspoken leader with the necessary determination has won the first round on the path to victory. Let the US closely follow this second round. I will be at the forefront of this struggle. I am here to defend our democracy and, if necessary, sacrifice my life for Colombia."
CEPEDA'S OBJECTION TO THE COUNTING PROCESS
Ivan Cepeda, the candidate of the ruling party Historical Pact (Pacto Historico), addressed his party members in the capital Bogota, arguing that there are some question marks regarding the election results. Claiming that there were votes not included in the system, Cepeda said that President Petro's statements about an "855 thousand deviation in preliminary results" needed to be clarified.
Demanding an investigation into allegations of vote buying, Cepeda said, "We demand within the framework of democracy that the counting commissions fulfill their duties and that every vote cast be examined transparently. We will continue our struggle, and I will be your president in the second round."
VALENCIA ANNOUNCED HER SUPPORT
Paloma Valencia, the candidate of the Democratic Center (Centro Democratico) party, which received 6.92 percent of the votes in the first round, announced that she would support Abelardo de la Espriella in the second round. Speaking at the party headquarters in Bogota, Valencia congratulated de la Espriella on his success in the first round.
Criticizing Cepeda, Valencia stated, "I will continue this struggle to defeat Ivan Cepeda and his project. It is often said that Colombians never give up; that is very true."
ELECTION GOES TO SECOND ROUND
No candidate surpassed the 50 percent threshold in the first round of Colombia's presidential election. According to official results, far-right candidate Abelardo de la Espriella ranked first with 43.62 percent of the votes. Ruling party Historical Pact candidate Ivan Cepeda came second with 41.13 percent of the votes.
Since no candidate achieved the required majority, de la Espriella and Cepeda will compete for the presidency in the second round elections scheduled for June 21.