LBCI

Trump-backed candidate wins razor-tight Colombia presidential election

World News

22-06-2026 | 01:47

Share

Share

Trump-backed candidate wins razor-tight Colombia presidential election

A flamboyant U.S.-backed lawyer who has never held public office narrowly won Colombia's presidential runoff Sunday, swinging the country hard right with a promise to wage war against drug-running guerrilla groups.

With almost all polling centers reporting, Abelardo de la Espriella won 49.66 percent of the vote versus left-wing Senator Ivan Cepeda's 48.70 percent.

The 47-year-old's victory is set to improve strained relations with Washington and extend a wave of rightist candidates who have swept to power across Latin America, promising "iron fist" security policies.

"We are beginning a new era!" he told supporters in the Caribbean city of Barranquilla from behind bulletproof glass.

"For those who have sown violence, terror, drug trafficking, and corruption all these years, their time is up!" he said.

U.S. President Donald Trump and a host of right-wing leaders from across the Americas have clamored to offer congratulations and support.

AFP

World News

United States

Colombia

Abelardo de la Espriella

Next

South Korea's ex-Justice Minister Park sentenced to 25 years in jail over martial law, Yonhap says

Gold rebounds from one-week low as Iran cites progress in peace talks

Previous

Recommended For You

Trump says US hit Iran 'very hard' in latest attacks

Middle East News

09:59

Trump says US hit Iran 'very hard' in latest attacks

Ukraine's Zelensky proposes to replace PM Svyrydenko

07:41

Ukraine's Zelensky proposes to replace PM Svyrydenko

Zelensky pays tribute to 'determined leader' Lindsey Graham

05:44

Zelensky pays tribute to 'determined leader' Lindsey Graham

Netanyahu says Israel lost 'one of its greatest friends' with death of Lindsey Graham

05:14

Netanyahu says Israel lost 'one of its greatest friends' with death of Lindsey Graham

Subscribe to our VOD

SUBSCRIBE

Our visitors readings

MEA cancels flights to Kuwait and Baghdad due to operational restrictions

2026-06-08

MEA cancels flights to Kuwait and Baghdad due to operational restrictions

Lebanon's chief negotiator briefs Aoun on latest Washington talks with Israel

2026-06-09

Lebanon's chief negotiator briefs Aoun on latest Washington talks with Israel

Israel says struck Hezbollah operatives in south Lebanon

2026-06-24

Israel says struck Hezbollah operatives in south Lebanon

Government relaunches rail study: Can Lebanon's trains run again?

News Bulletin Reports

2026-05-15

Government relaunches rail study: Can Lebanon's trains run again?

Videos

Lebanon’s ambassador to Washington: trilateral framework agreement first step toward restoring sovereignty

2026-06-26

Lebanon’s ambassador to Washington: trilateral framework agreement first step toward restoring sovereignty

Rubio on Lebanon-Israel framework agreement: 'beginning of the beginning,' more work needed

2026-06-26

Rubio on Lebanon-Israel framework agreement: 'beginning of the beginning,' more work needed

Lebanon, Israel sign trilateral framework agreement after Washington talks attended by Rubio: Video

2026-06-26

Lebanon, Israel sign trilateral framework agreement after Washington talks attended by Rubio: Video

Israeli strikes renew on Choukine, Maifadoun, and Nabatieh al-Fawqa in southern Lebanon: Video

2026-06-20

Israeli strikes renew on Choukine, Maifadoun, and Nabatieh al-Fawqa in southern Lebanon: Video

Massive Israeli strikes hit South Lebanon under ceasefire conditions

2026-06-19

Massive Israeli strikes hit South Lebanon under ceasefire conditions

Trump criticizes Israel’s Lebanon campaign, says war has gone on ‘too long’ and floats Syria role in conflict

2026-06-16

Trump criticizes Israel’s Lebanon campaign, says war has gone on ‘too long’ and floats Syria role in conflict

Rene Mouawad Airport in Qlayaat opening ceremony held in presence of Lebanese officials—Video

2026-06-06

Rene Mouawad Airport in Qlayaat opening ceremony held in presence of Lebanese officials—Video

Israeli army releases footage of first tank crossing Litani River toward Beaufort Castle

2026-05-31

Israeli army releases footage of first tank crossing Litani River toward Beaufort Castle

Iran uses cluster bombs to target Israel: AiTelly explains what happens when a missile is intercepted—Video

2026-03-25

Iran uses cluster bombs to target Israel: AiTelly explains what happens when a missile is intercepted—Video

Most read

24 hours

7 days

Month

Israeli military: 551st Brigade kills more than 80 Hezbollah members and destroys over 200 infrastructure sites

1

Israeli military: 551st Brigade kills more than 80 Hezbollah members and destroys over 200 infrastructure sites

Lebanon's Aoun, Salam and Berri mourn former Qatari emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani

2

Lebanon's Aoun, Salam and Berri mourn former Qatari emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani

Iran adviser says Hormuz 'more important' than nuclear bombs

3

Iran adviser says Hormuz 'more important' than nuclear bombs

PM Salam condemns Iranian attacks on Gulf states and Jordan

4

PM Salam condemns Iranian attacks on Gulf states and Jordan

Trump says Strait of Hormuz open to commercial shipping

5

Trump says Strait of Hormuz open to commercial shipping

Trump says US hit Iran 'very hard' in latest attacks

6

Trump says US hit Iran 'very hard' in latest attacks

New Syrian parliament meets for first time in Damascus

7

New Syrian parliament meets for first time in Damascus

Lindsey Graham, pivotal US Republican senator, dies suddenly at 71

8

Lindsey Graham, pivotal US Republican senator, dies suddenly at 71

Download now the LBCI mobile app

To see the latest news, the latest daily programs in Lebanon and the world

Google Play

App Store

Download now the LBCI mobile app

We use
cookies

We use cookies to make
your experience on this
website better.

Accept

Learn More