politics
Conservative Candidate de la Espriella Holds Narrow Lead in Colombia Presidential Runoff
Abelardo de la Espriella led with 49.7% of votes to Iván Cepeda’s 48.7% after nearly all ballots were counted. Election officials have not declared a winner, and Cepeda said his team would challenge results from more than 30,000 voting stations.
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Abelardo de la Espriella held a narrow lead Monday with 99.9% of votes counted in Colombia’s presidential runoff, according to electoral authorities. De la Espriella received 49.7% of the vote compared to 48.7% for Iván Cepeda. Election officials have not formally announced a winner.
De la Espriella, a business owner and lawyer, received an endorsement from U.S. President Donald Trump during the campaign. Cepeda, a lawmaker and ally of outgoing President Gustavo Petro, said after the vote that his team was challenging results from more than 30,000 voting stations. Petro also stated he would challenge the outcome. Cepeda described the count as “unofficial and non-binding.”
De la Espriella addressed supporters Sunday night in Barranquilla. “I will govern for all Colombians,” he said.
In Cali, protests following the results included damage to a public bus, surveillance cameras, and an ATM. The municipality that includes Cali favored Cepeda with nearly 60% of the vote. Local authorities reported that four police officers were injured and two demonstrators were arrested.
No recount has overturned the results of a presidential election in Colombian history. The winner will begin a four-year term in August. The candidates presented different approaches to addressing violence in Colombia, including car bombs, kidnappings, disappearances, and forced displacements.
