Colombia has elected conservative candidate Abelardo De La Espriella as its next president, marking a significant political shift toward the right in Latin America.
De La Espriella, a prominent lawyer who also holds US citizenship and has never held public office, secured a narrow victory in the presidential runoff, winning 49.66% of the vote against left-wing senator Iván Cepeda, who received 48.70%.
The president-elect built his campaign around tough anti-crime policies and promises to crack down on drug trafficking organizations. Speaking to supporters in Barranquilla, he declared the start of a “new era” and vowed to defend democracy, institutional stability, and public security.
The result triggered protests in several cities, including Bogotá and Cali, where demonstrators clashed with police and questioned the election outcome. Outgoing President Gustavo Petro also raised concerns about the vote count, while Cepeda stopped short of conceding defeat pending further verification.
The election comes as Colombia continues to grapple with drug trafficking, security challenges, and deep economic inequality despite years of progress following the country's historic peace agreement with former FARC rebels.
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