In a twist that shakes up Colombia’s political map, lawyer and U.S. citizen Abelardo de la Espriella, known as «El Tigre,» prevailed on June 21 in the second round of the presidential elections. With 100% of polling stations counted, the right-wing candidate secured 43.74% of the vote, leaving leftist Iván Cepeda behind, who reached 40.90%. The victory, celebrated by former President Donald Trump, marks the start of an era that promises to be as controversial as it is explosive.
De la Espriella, born in Bogotá in 1978 but raised in Montería, is not a traditional politician. A lawyer from Sergio Arboleda University, he founded his own firm, De la Espriella Lawyers, in 2002, with offices in Colombia and Miami. His triple nationality – Colombian, American, and Italian – and his defense of controversial clients, such as alleged frontman for Nicolás Maduro, Álex Saab, make him a figure who inspires both admiration and rejection. He claims to have cut ties with Saab in 2021, but shadows persist.
His candidacy, formalized on July 16 last year under the Defenders of the Homeland movement, was presented as a «citizen shield» against corruption and abuse of power. In a launch video, he uttered a phrase that went viral: «I have not come here to shake hands with everyone and embrace the enemies of the Republic.» His government program, dubbed «Miracle Homeland,» rests on more than ten pillars that promise to rebuild the nation, boost the economy, create jobs, stop illegal immigration, and fight crime and drugs.
Donald Trump’s endorsement was key. As soon as the first-round results were known, the Republican posted on Truth Social: «Congratulations to Colombian candidate ‘El Tigre’ for his resounding victory! Abelardo fights for his great country and loves them, just as I love the United States of America.» He added: «As president, Abelardo will be hugely successful in leading Colombia to boost the economy, create jobs, promote trade, stop illegal immigration, fight crime and drugs, and restore public order!» De la Espriella’s response was immediate: «I am very honored. I know that in the era of El Tigre we will forge a partnership like Colombia has never had with the United States.»
Republican Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar also joined the support, calling him a «personal friend» and highlighting that «the United States wants the best for Colombia, trade exchange and ideological affinity.» But not everything is rosy. The campaign was marked by fierce clashes with Iván Cepeda, whom De la Espriella accused of defending the FARC. «Don’t come to take electoral advantage of the politically correct’s entrapments when your conscience and political career are stained with blood,» he wrote on X.
Cepeda’s response was even more serious: on June 11, he filed a complaint against De la Espriella with the International Criminal Court for the crimes of criminal conspiracy, financing terrorism, and illicit enrichment. According to a statement, the complaint contains «new evidence of alleged links between the presidential candidate and the narcoparamilitary organization AUC.» «El Tigre» dismissed it as «smoke screens» and replied: «You’re losing altitude, Cepeda.»
Now, with victory secured, De la Espriella will assume office on August 7, a historic date commemorating the Battle of Boyacá. Colombia prepares for a government that promises to be anything but quiet, with a president who defines himself as an outsider and comes to power with the stamp of the hardest right and explicit backing from the White House. Is Colombia ready for «El Tigre»?
che pero q es esta joda ahora el tigre ese un abogado con pasaportes truchos gana con apoyo de trump un facho vendepatria q promete mano dura como si fuera poco lo q ya sufrimos se les viene la noche compañeros viva la resistencia carajo firmado el che de las pampas
para mi el tigre va a limpiar colombia de zurdos de mierda con trump detras esto es imparable a llorar a la lloreria perdedores ahora si mano dura contra los enemigos de la patria vamos carajo