BOGOTA, Colombia — Progressive candidate Iván Cepeda formally conceded Colombia’s presidential race on Wednesday to conservative political newcomer Abelardo de la Espriella, who carried an endorsement from U.S. President Donald Trump heading into the vote.
According to election results, de la Espriella — a businessman and attorney who had never previously sought public office — beat out Cepeda, a sitting lawmaker, by roughly one percentage point, a margin of nearly 251,000 votes.
In a nationally televised address, Cepeda acknowledged the outcome, saying: “We assume with serenity, responsibility, and absolute resolve — and let there be no doubt about it — the role that circumstances demand of us. We will exercise a democratic, vigilant and constructive opposition.”
Political observers view the outcome as a repudiation of outgoing President Gustavo Petro’s administration, whose agenda Cepeda had pledged to carry forward. That agenda included a largely unsuccessful initiative to negotiate with various armed factions under a program called “total peace.”
Election authorities released nearly all vote totals within hours of polls closing on Sunday. Both Petro and Cepeda initially refused to accept those figures, with Cepeda indicating he would hold off on conceding until a recount was completed.
De la Espriella, who is 47 years old, is set to begin a four-year term on August 7. His campaign had not issued a response to Cepeda’s concession as of Wednesday.
The win places Colombia among a growing number of nations that have turned toward political outsiders to address difficult challenges related to public safety, social conditions, and economic pressures.
Describing himself as the candidate of “the never-before-seen,” de la Espriella appealed to voters worried about a return to widespread internal conflict. He promised a tough-on-crime approach modeled after strategies used by Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, including the construction of large-scale prisons. Those methods have reduced homicide rates in El Salvador but have also drawn criticism over alleged human rights violations.
Known by the nickname “The Tiger,” de la Espriella holds dual citizenship in both Colombia and the United States, identifies as a Trump supporter, and is a registered member of the Republican Party.
