Conservative Lawyer, Left-Wing Senator Advance to Colombia Runoff
With ballots counted from more than 99% of polling stations, de la Espriella secured 43.72% of the vote, narrowly outperforming Cepeda, who received 40.92%. Conservative contender Paloma Valencia placed third with 6.92%, leaving the top two candidates to face each other in a second-round election scheduled for June 21.
Colombia has long maintained a strategic partnership with the United States, particularly in the areas of security cooperation and anti-narcotics operations. Washington is also Colombia’s largest trading partner, while the country’s border with neighboring Venezuela adds further geopolitical significance to the relationship.
Ties between Bogota and Washington became increasingly strained during the presidency of Gustavo Petro. The outgoing leader openly criticized US President Donald Trump’s immigration policies and military actions targeting suspected drug-trafficking operations. The two presidents frequently exchanged criticism through public statements and social media.
Petro, who became Colombia’s first left-wing president, is prohibited by the constitution from immediately seeking another term in office. He has thrown his support behind Cepeda’s candidacy.
Meanwhile, de la Espriella has gained attention for his conservative platform and favorable view of relations with the United States. Some observers have compared him to El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele because of his political style and alignment with policies favored by Trump supporters.
The candidate has voiced support for Trump’s “cultural battle against wokeism” and has pledged to defend traditional gender values if elected.
De la Espriella has also welcomed Trump’s return to the White House and publicly endorsed a US special forces operation conducted in Caracas earlier this year that reportedly resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
In a social media post published in January, de la Espriella wrote:
“It has been revealed how USAID and woke populism fueled the leftward shift in countries like Colombia… To guarantee a fair race, it is urgent that your father’s administration puts Petro in his place,”
The message was posted in response to remarks by Donald Trump Jr.
Cepeda, whose father, a Communist senator, was killed in 1994 by paramilitary groups linked to state forces, has taken a markedly different position. He has criticized Trump’s interventionist policies and condemned threats directed at President Petro.
The runoff election is expected to serve as a major test of Colombia’s political direction, with voters choosing between two candidates who represent sharply contrasting visions for the country’s domestic policies and international relationships.
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