Colombia elects right-wing candidate as president in runoff vote

Colombia elected right-wing candidate Abelardo de la Espriella president on June 21 after preliminary results showed him defeating leftist candidate Ivan Cepeda. The outcome adds Colombia to a group of countries that have shifted toward conservative leadership in recent years.

Regional context Peru is still tallying ballots from its June 7 presidential runoff, with authorities projecting a 0.2 percent margin for conservative candidate Keiko Fujimori. Colombia and Peru join Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Bolivia and Panama in the recent pattern of right-leaning electoral results.

The shift follows several years in which multiple countries elected left-leaning governments. Colombia's outgoing president was the country's first leftist leader.

Voter priorities and policy pledges Weak economies and rising crime have shaped voter concerns in Colombia and elsewhere in the region. De la Espriella campaigned on promises to reduce business regulations, lower taxes, and restart oil and gas projects.

A final verified count overseen by notaries and judges was nearly complete late Sunday, though officials have not confirmed whether it matches the initial tally. De la Espriella, a naturalized U.S. citizen who previously lived in Miami, has stated support for a regional alliance focused on security cooperation and pledged to address drug trafficking.