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Colombia Runoff Tight as Trump Endorses Right‑Wing Outsider

The U.S. president's backing heightens geopolitical stakes by raising the prospect of closer ties with Washington if the right‑wing candidate wins.

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Brasília (DF), 17/06/2026 – Ivan Cepeda, filósofo de esquerda, defensor dos direitos humanos e aliado do atual presidente Gustavo Petro; Abelardo de La Espriella, advogado milionário admirador do Javier Milei e Donald Trump, que nunca se candidatou.. Fotos: Reuters/Proibida reprodução

Overview

  • The presidential runoff is scheduled for Sunday, June 21, and pits leftist senator Iván Cepeda, backed by President Gustavo Petro, against first‑time candidate Abelardo De La Espriella.
  • Polls published in mid‑June show De La Espriella holding a modest lead of roughly three to eight points, but analysts say turnout and transfers of third‑party votes could still change the outcome.
  • President Donald Trump publicly endorsed De La Espriella on June 17, framing him as a law‑and‑order choice and signaling stronger U.S. alignment if the candidate wins.
  • De La Espriella campaigns on a hardline security platform that rejects negotiated talks with guerrilla groups and proposes tougher military action plus withdrawal from some international bodies.
  • Colombia's unresolved political violence, recent campaign killings, and deep regional implications mean the result could quickly affect migration, security cooperation, and diplomatic ties in Latin America.