BOGOTÁ. In an election that kept the country and the entire region on edge, right-wing businessman and lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella is on track to become Colombia’s new president after defeating leftist candidate Iván Cepeda by a narrow margin. With 99.88% of polling stations counted, De la Espriella obtained 49.65% of the vote versus Cepeda’s 48.70%, in an election that reflected the deep division within Colombian society.
The electoral contest was marked by debate over the continuity of the project promoted by President Gustavo Petro and the possibility of a shift toward an agenda focused on security, market economics, and a reduced role for the state. De la Espriella, 47, nicknamed «The Tiger,» based his campaign on proposals similar to those of other right-wing leaders in the region: toughening policies against organized crime, drug trafficking, and illegal armed groups; strengthening the Armed Forces; building mega-prisons; reducing the size of the state; lowering taxes; and reviving the mining-energy sector through new hydrocarbon exploration contracts.
After the preliminary results were announced, Latin American and Spanish right-wing figures came out to support De la Espriella’s victory, interpreting it as a sign of the advance of their political ideas in the region. Argentine President Javier Milei was one of the first international leaders to celebrate the outcome. In a message on X, he congratulated the Colombian leader and stated that the election represented progress for «economic freedom, prosperity, security» and the fight against organized crime and drug trafficking. Milei linked the Colombian result to a regional shift and asserted that «freedom is advancing throughout Latin America,» closing his post with his traditional slogan «long live freedom, damn it.»
Former Argentine Security Minister and Senator Patricia Bullrich joined the congratulations and recognized De la Espriella as president-elect. In her message, Bullrich highlighted the opportunity to strengthen cooperation between Argentina and Colombia on security and the fight against drug trafficking, and stated that Latin America is moving toward «the ideas of freedom, law, and order.»
Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa also congratulated De la Espriella and stated that Colombian citizens had chosen «order over impunity.» In his message, Noboa emphasized the coincidence with the new Colombian president on the need to move toward a region with greater security, progress, and governments willing to confront organized crime «without excuses.»
Chile’s President José Antonio Kast congratulated the Colombian outsider and highlighted the start of a new political era for the country. Kast used his X account to state that the Colombian leader’s victory opens a period of «freedom» that will allow the recovery of security and prosperity, and expressed his support with a message of encouragement: «Steadfast for the Homeland.»
Paraguayan President Santiago Peña also praised De la Espriella. In his post, he stated that the result reflects the confidence of millions of Colombians in a vision of the future based on «freedom, opportunities, and the strengthening of institutions,» and argued that the election represents a «sign of hope» for those who defend democracy, freedom, and development as pillars for Latin America.
From Colombia, former President Iván Duque acknowledged the victory of the right-wing leader and congratulated De la Espriella and José Manuel Restrepo, who would serve as vice president. Duque highlighted the development of a free and transparent election day and congratulated the National Civil Registry for organizing the elections, wishing the new president «success in his administration.»
Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado congratulated De la Espriella and highlighted the result as an expression of citizen support for the values of freedom and democracy. In her message, Machado stated that «Colombia has spoken with strength, hope, and determination,» and argued that the country reaffirmed its commitment to «freedom, democracy, and peace.» She also noted that she hopes the new Colombian government will be «a great ally in Venezuela’s democratic transition» and suggested that both countries can work together for the prosperity and security of their citizens, closing with a call: «Long live free Colombia and Venezuela!»
In Spain, Vox leader Santiago Abascal also celebrated the result and asserted that Colombians had chosen change from the path set by the government of Gustavo Petro and his successors. Abascal argued that De la Espriella’s victory represented an «advance of values such as freedom, order, truth, and the sovereignty of nations in Hispanic America,» and congratulated the new president with a message of support: «Congratulations, dear Abelardo, onward Colombia!»
Para mí este De la Espriella es un vendepatria de mierda, igual que sus amigotes Milei y Duque. Nos va a entregar el país a los yanquis, esto huele a traición. Colombia se va al carajo con este hijueputa facho.
Para mí esto es un golazo. Al fin Colombia se saca a los zurdos de encima. De la Espriella con los 🦅 y a cagar a los comunistas. Milei, Noboa, Duque festejando. Me parece que arranca un nuevo rumbo. Vamos carajo!