Abelardo de la Espriella wins Colombian presidential election

Abelardo de la Espriella, a 47-year-old criminal lawyer and political outsider, won the Colombian presidential election held on Sunday. De la Espriella defeated his left-wing opponent, Senator Ivan Cepeda, by a narrow margin in the second round of voting. The president-elect, known for his right-wing views and admiration for Donald Trump, pledged to adopt a hardline approach against armed groups involved in drug trafficking. His campaign focused on restoring security amidst a resurgence of violence in the country, ten years after the peace agreement with the FARC. Conversely, Cepeda’s platform relied on the record of outgoing President Gustavo Petro, citing progress in poverty reduction and employment. Approximately 41 million citizens were eligible to participate in the election process. De la Espriella addressed supporters in Barranquilla, describing the result as the beginning of a new era for the nation. He emphasized that his administration would combat criminals within the framework of the constitution and democratic laws.