Preliminary count gives de la Espriella narrow lead in Colombia presidential runoff; Cepeda challenges result

Abelardo de la Espriella won Colombia's presidential runoff election with 49.7 percent of the vote in a preliminary count released June 21, 2026. Iván Cepeda received 48.7 percent, with more than 99 percent of votes tallied. De la Espriella, a lawyer and businessman with no prior political experience who has been a U.S.

Citizen since 2023, pledged a military crackdown on illegal armed groups, drug trafficking and crime. He also vowed to build mega-prisons in Colombia's jungle, shrink the state and reform the health system. He stated that the result marks the beginning of a new stage for the country and pledged loyalty to the 1991 constitution.

Cepeda said the preliminary count is not yet official or binding and that his campaign will recognize the result only after the official canvass and verifications. President Gustavo Petro posted on X that neither candidate can be proclaimed president until the count is ratified and called for an audit of voting software. U.S.

President Donald Trump endorsed de la Espriella and posted on Truth Social that he won big, adding that de la Espriella would stop illegal immigration, crack down on crime and drugs, and have the total support of the United States. Late on election night, clashes occurred between protesters and police in Cali, with demonstrators burning U.S. flags and police using tear gas.

De la Espriella's clients as a lawyer included Alex Saab and David Murcia Guzman. Colombia's internal armed conflict has lasted for decades and escalated in recent years, with membership in armed groups doubling in the last five years.