22.06.2026 07:10
In Colombia, right-wing candidate Abelardo de la Espriella, supported by U.S. President Donald Trump, won the presidential election with 49.65% of the vote according to unofficial results. Espriella declared victory after surpassing his rival Ivan Cepeda by approximately 246,000 votes, while President Gustavo Petro alleged irregularities in the results and stated he would wait for the official counting process to be completed.
The winner of the presidential election in Colombia was right-wing candidate Abelardo de la Espriella, who received open support from US President Donald Trump.
According to unofficial results from the National Civil Registry Office, with 99.91% of ballot boxes opened, Espriella, the candidate of the Homeland Defenders Movement, received 49.65% of the votes. The left-wing candidate of the ruling Historical Pact Alliance, Ivan Cepeda, remained at 48.70%.
The vote difference between the two candidates was recorded at approximately 246,355, with the margin reported at 0.30%.
ANNOUNCED HIS VICTORY ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Espriella, who followed the election results in the Caribbean city of Barranquilla, declared his victory in a statement. Espriella said, "We won against the pressures under the shadow of guns, attempts to buy votes, traditional parties, corruption, and guerrillas. The winner was Colombia."
PETRO DID NOT ACCEPT THE RESULTS
Colombian President Gustavo Petro, however, objected to the election results. Claiming that there were some irregularities in the vote counting process, Petro stated that no candidate could declare themselves president yet.
In his statement, Petro said, "The official legal counting process will determine who the president is. I obey the decision of the judges. I ask our citizens to remain calm."
Arguing that the country is divided in two, Petro also drew attention to foreign interventions and called for national consensus.
WILL TAKE OVER ON AUGUST 7
The election, with a turnout reported at 61.5%, was considered one of the most competitive races in recent years. After the official results are finalized, Abelardo de la Espriella will take over from current President Gustavo Petro on August 7.