Colombians voted in the presidential election on Sunday and according to preliminary results, the White House-backed conservatives have a narrow lead.
With 99.96% of the votes counted, hard-right candidate Abelardo de la Espriella won with 49.66%, according to data from the National Registry Office.
De la Espriella claimed victory and said he would rule for “all Colombians”.
“I will have a completely democratic government and guarantee freedom and institutional order,” he said, adding, “I will be president for all Colombians.”
Cepeda is not ready to accept defeat yet
Leftist rival Ivan Cepeda had 48.70% of the vote, less than the percentage point separating them. He has not given up.
“Once the counting is completed and its final result is known, and the relevant investigations are conducted, we will accept the official results,” he said.
“No candidate can be declared president,” outgoing President Gustavo Petro said on social media. He said the vote count would decide who would lead and that he would “abide by the decision of the judges.”
Petro also appealed to the public to remain calm. “The reality is that our country is divided down the middle, and foreign interference is taking away our freedoms,” Petrou said on X.
De la Espriella says Trump congratulates him
De la Espriella said he received a congratulatory call from US President Donald Trump.
“I just spoke a few minutes ago with the President of the United States, President Donald Trump, and he expressed his support, his recognition of our victory,” de la Asprilla said.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he had called de la Asprilla to “congratulate her on her election victory.”
“The Trump Administration looks forward to working closely with your incoming Administration to advance regional security cooperation, end illegal immigration to the United States, and strengthen our economic ties. Colombia’s best days are ahead,” Rubio said on X.
Who are the front runners?
Abelardo de la Espriella has often portrayed himself as a tough crime fighter and has also spoken out in support of Trump.
De la Espriella calls himself “The Tiger” and won the first round of voting in May promising to wage war against cartels and guerrilla groups.
The 47-year-old businessman’s campaign style has been compared to that of El Salvador’s right-wing President Nayib Bukele.
“Today is the most important vote in the history of Colombia,” he said as he cast his vote in Barranquilla.
Left-leaning Senator Iván Cepeda has sought the support of progressives and the poor with a promise to expand social reforms.
He is supported by current President Gustavo Petro.
Cepeda, 63, told reporters, “When we win, we will govern for the entire country, not just one region,” while his supporters chanted: “The people are with you!”
Colombia’s security challenge
Colombia has been battling the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, a guerrilla movement for decades. In 2016, a historic peace agreement was signed, in which the FARC agreed to completely disarm.
However, dissident branches of the former guerrilla group are still active and are blamed for violence targeting former guerrillas and social leaders.
In 2025, authorities recorded 14,780 killings, the highest total since at least 2015 and most likely driven by clashes between illegal armed groups.
Edited by: Dmytro Lyubenko
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