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Posted on 06/21/2026 7:50:22 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
The right-wing candidate Abelardo de la Espriella has narrowly won Colombia's presidential election, according to the initial vote count, marking a dramatic shift in how the government will tackle the country's internal armed conflict and violence.
Espriella, who was endorsed by Donald Trump, has pledged a military crackdown on illegal armed groups, drug trafficking and crime.
He appeared to defeat the left-wing Iván Cepeda, a close ally of the president, Gustavo Petro.
Reacting to the result, he said "today begins a new stage for our country, a stage built on the free and democratic will of millions of citizens who chose to believe in a great, safe, prosperous Colombia full of opportunities."
With over 99% of votes counted, De La Espriella had won nearly 49.7% of the vote, while Cepeda won 48.7%.
Cepeda has not conceded, saying the preliminary count was "not yet official or binding".
"Once the official canvass takes place and its final result is produced, and the corresponding verifications have been carried out, we will recognize the official result that emerges from that structure."
Espriella, who was raised in the Caribbean coastal region, enjoyed significant regional support there.
In Barranquilla, a city on the coast, a huge crowd of supporters gathered to celebrate his result. All of them donned the Colombian yellow football jersey and waved Colombian flags. They sang and danced to music from a stage lit up with photos of Espriella's face, chanting, "stand firm for the homeland" and "Petro out!", before a fireworks display.
Some wore hats akin to Donald Trump supporters, but saying "Make Colombia Great Again!"
Trump responded to the result, writing on Truth Social, "He Won, BIG!"
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.com ...
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The trend in South America seems to be going the right way...
Consider -— Ecuador’s president, Daniel Noboa, has been cracking down on the cartels and organized criminal groups that operate at the border it shares with Colombia.
The U.S. and Venezuela, as led by the Trump administration, are cracking down on crime on that side of Colombia. Having a cooperative leader who promises Nayib Bukele-like treatment of Colombia’s criminal organizations in power will be a game-changer for the entire Western Hemisphere when it comes to drugs, mass migration, and crime.
Of course, we don’t need to mention the free market, limited government government of Javier Milei of Argentina.
Now we just need to flip Brazil, which has elections in October, and get its little dictator, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, out of there. Right now, it’s entirely possible that will happen.
“initial count shows“ so are they going to start playing games with the count now?
Yeah, That’s how we do it.
Back to being an American ally! Welcome back.
Yes. Reminds me of October 2022.
Bolsonaro takes lead in initial vote count of Brazil election.
When I lived in South America (Venezuela) before Chavez, Columbia was my number one destination as a tourist. This was also during the time of FARC, “Armed forces of the Republic of Columbia.” They were a Marxist terrorist group and caused great harm and death to Columbia. The president of Columbia was part of this. It is good for Columbia he lost.
Oddly even in those times it was safe. There were certain places you just not go. Stay away and you are okay. If you did not know it was wise to just stay home.
At that time early 70s the La Guajira Peninsula was owned by drug dealers (launch point for drug smuggling) illegal trade etc. Been there just to catch a plane. At night the hotel would lock down totally as would the army posts. The bad guys owned the night.
assuming he doesn’t lose by “recount” or assassination, i suspect direct USA military action against cartel compounds and factories will quickly be requested and coordinated with Columbian authorities ...
I guess California is still getting USAID money, while Columbia is not
Amazing how all these Leftist governments are losing now that USAID has been shut down.
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