Colombian right-wing candidate Abelardo De La Espriella has secured a narrow victory in the country’s presidential runoff election, according to preliminary results, defeating leftist Senator Ivan Cepeda in a closely contested race that marks a significant political shift after four years of President Gustavo Petro’s administration.
With nearly all ballots counted, De La Espriella received 49.66% of the vote, while Cepeda garnered 48.70%, leaving a margin of approximately 250,000 votes between the two candidates, according to figures released by Colombia’s national registrar. More than 26.3 million Colombians participated in the election from an electorate of 41.4 million eligible voters, while roughly 427,000 voters submitted blank ballots.
Addressing supporters gathered in the coastal city of Barranquilla following the preliminary count, De La Espriella pledged to govern for all Colombians regardless of political affiliation. “I will govern for all Colombians, for those who voted for me and for those who chose the other candidate,” he said, while promising to respect the rights of all citizens.
The victory follows a campaign dominated by concerns over security, economic performance and the future direction of the country. De La Espriella, a lawyer with no previous political experience, built his campaign around promises to combat armed groups, expand oil and gas production, reduce taxes and shrink the size of the state by as much as 40%. He has also vowed to end peace negotiations with rebel and criminal organizations, arguing that a stronger military response is needed to address worsening security conditions.
At the same time, De La Espriella said he intends to maintain several popular social policies introduced under Petro, including a 23% increase in the minimum wage and other social measures.
Cepeda campaigned on continuing Petro’s agenda, including labor reforms supported by trade unions, state pension payments for low-income citizens, a moratorium on new oil projects and ongoing negotiations with armed groups. Following the release of the preliminary results, Cepeda told supporters in Bogotá that his campaign would await the completion of Colombia’s legally required final vote verification process. He said his campaign was challenging results from approximately 33,000 ballot boxes and called for dialogue and political cooperation.
The close outcome is expected to present governing challenges for the incoming president. Colombia’s Congress remains divided, and Cepeda’s Historic Pact coalition holds more seats than any other political party in both legislative chambers, though no party commands an outright majority. The narrow margin may require De La Espriella to seek broader political support to advance key parts of his agenda.
The election campaign also drew attention to De La Espriella’s business background and legal career. He has portrayed himself as a businessman who financed his own campaign and built his political movement independently. Investigative outlet La Silla Vacia reported that many of his businesses had been dissolved, carried debt or recorded losses during 2024, while identifying his law firm as his most profitable enterprise. De La Espriella’s campaign questioned the outlet’s reporting and denied allegations of wrongdoing.
Known to supporters as “The Tiger,” the 47-year-old candidate gained prominence through a tough-on-crime message and proposals that include constructing 10 mega-prisons and expanding Colombia’s oil sector through renewed exploration and fracking. Comparisons have been drawn between De La Espriella and El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele, though the Colombian president-elect has rejected suggestions that he is attempting to replicate Bukele’s model.
The election took place against a backdrop of broader political changes across Latin America, where several countries have recently elected right-wing leaders. De La Espriella, who holds Colombian, American and Italian citizenship, is scheduled to assume office on August 7, succeeding Petro and ushering in a new phase in Colombian politics.
