Espriella wins Colombia’s presidential election by 1%

The Latin American country of Colombia has seen dramatic results. In the initial vote count, right-wing candidate Abelardo de la Espriella, who is supported by Donald Trump, has beaten left-wing candidate Ivan Cepeda by just 1% of the vote. Although the final results have not yet been announced, his supporters have already started celebrating their victory.

According to the BBC, de la Espriella, who is supported by Donald Trump, has promised to launch a tough military campaign against illegal armed groups, drug trafficking and crime. Preliminary results show that he has defeated left-wing candidate Ivan Cepeda. Cepeda is a close ally of current President Gustavo Petro.

After his victory, de la Espriella said, "Today a new chapter begins for our country. This is a chapter that is built on the free and democratic decisions of millions of citizens. They have voted for a Colombia that is safe, prosperous and full of opportunities." With more than 99 percent of the votes counted, De la Esperanza won 49.7 percent of the vote in the runoff, while Cepeda won 48.7 percent.

However, Cepeda has not yet conceded defeat. He said the preliminary results “have not yet reached the final stage.” “We will accept the results that come after the official count and the necessary verification,” he said.

The Reuters report said that the verification process showed very little difference from the preliminary results in the first round of voting on May 31. De la Esperanza, who grew up in the Caribbean coastal region, has significant support in that region.

According to the BBC, De la Esperanza spoke to thousands of supporters gathered in the coastal city of Barranquilla after the preliminary results were released. Calling himself “El Tigre” (the tiger), he said, “Tonight, a new history begins for the nation. Today is the beginning of a new era, a new change.’

He added, ‘I will work for all Colombians. For those who voted for me, and for those who supported other candidates.’ At the same time, he expressed his loyalty to the 1991 constitution and promised to defend it.

Many of his supporters celebrated wearing yellow Colombian football jerseys and holding national flags. Some supporters wore hats similar to those used by Donald Trump supporters. However, they read, ‘Make Colombia Great Again.’

Meanwhile, after the results were announced, Trump wrote on Truth Social, ‘He won, big win!’

On the other hand, Cepeda’s supporters also took to the streets of Barranquilla to express their concern about the results. ‘There is a clear sense of unease all around,’ Catalina La Grande, a student and rights activist who supports Cepeda, told the BBC.

‘The result, which is so close, worries us. Because it reflects the deep divisions in the country and the great challenge to democracy, peace and human rights.’

Ya, another supporter, said that despite the results showing the country’s division, people behaved peacefully. He said, ‘Despite so much political polarization, there was no violence on the streets, which is positive.’

The sharp differences between the two candidates have raised fears of unrest across the country after the election results were announced. Especially if neither side accepts the results.

Clashes with police were reported from Cali, the country’s third largest city, on Sunday night. Some protesters burned American flags in protest of De la Esperilla’s victory. Police used tear gas to control the situation.

President Gustavo Petro is also expected to challenge the results. He wrote on X, ‘No one can be declared president yet based on the initial count.’ He demanded an audit of the vote counting software and accused some polling stations of being ‘influenced’ without evidence.