Colombia presidential election decided by 0.96-point margin as Cepeda accepts result

Colombia's electoral authority reported that Abelardo de la Espriella received 50.48 percent of the vote and Iván Cepeda received 49.52 percent in the June 21 presidential run-off, a margin of 0.96 percentage points. The authority stated that the final official tally remains underway.

Cepeda announced his acceptance of the result on Wednesday. "I have decided to accept the result," he said.

Cepeda also addressed foreign involvement. "We denounce the open and undue foreign interference in Colombia's internal affairs, in particular the interventions of President Donald Trump," he told journalists. Trump had endorsed de la Espriella after the first round and described Cepeda as a "radical Left Marxist." Following the run-off, Trump stated that de la Espriella had won "easily."

De la Espriella, in his victory remarks, said those who thought differently from him would have nothing to fear. The incoming administration has moved to strengthen ties with the United States. On Tuesday, de la Espriella said he would accept an invitation for Colombia to join the "Shield of the Americas," a U.S.-led alliance of Western Hemisphere countries created to combat criminal cartels and drug-trafficking.

He is scheduled to take office on 7 August.

The election recorded the highest turnout in recent Colombian presidential contests.