Presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella of the opposition Defenders of the Motherland motion.
Rodrigo Abd/AP
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Rodrigo Abd/AP
BOGOTA, Colombia—Proper-wing populist candidate Abelardo de la Espriella has narrowly gained Colombia’s presidential election based mostly on the preliminary “quick count” launched by electoral authorities.
With over 99% of the vote counted within the preliminary tally, de la Espriella leads with 49.7% over his left-wing opponent Iván Cepeda, who has secured 48.7%. The remaining ballots have been clean votes.
The razor-thin margin means no remaining outcome has been licensed, and a slower, official guide rely is predicted over the approaching days. Traditionally, Colombia’s fast counts have intently tracked remaining licensed outcomes.
Reacting to the outcome, De la Espriella posted on social media: “Today begins a new stage for our country, a stage built on the free and democratic will of millions of citizens who chose to believe in a great, safe, and prosperous Colombia full of opportunities.”
In a speech on Sunday night, Cepeda, an in depth ally of outgoing President Gustavo Petro, mentioned that whereas he acknowledges the short rely outcome, his marketing campaign is difficult outcomes from round 33,000 poll containers.
In a sequence of posts on social media, Petro alleged irregularities within the preliminary vote rely, and known as for calm, declaring that neither candidate may “be proclaimed” till the preliminary rely vote rely was ratified.
Safety was voters’ high concern within the election in accordance with pollsters. Colombia’s armed battle, which has lasted for many years, has intensified lately as armed teams and cartels broaden their management over drug trafficking routes and unlawful mining operations. Membership in teams has reportedly doubled over the previous 5 years, contributing to widespread displacement and insecurity.
De la Espriella, is a millionaire businessman and legal protection legal professional who has nicknamed himself “El Tigre” (the Tiger). A political newcomer endorsed by President Donald Trump, he has pledged to pursue a more durable, extra hardline strategy to safety.
On his first day in workplace he has promised a sweeping army offensive in opposition to guerrilla teams in his first day in workplace, stating in a current tv interview that he would “bomb all of the camps holding narco-terrorists.”
He has additionally mentioned he would intensify assaults on drug-smuggling plane and boats, and construct ten “mega prisons.” De la Espriella has pledged to open up the countryside to fracking and reverse Petro’s moratorium on new hydrocarbon and mining contracts.
The 47-year-old made his identify—and far of his fortune—as a high-profile legal protection lawyer representing controversial purchasers. Amongst them was the founding father of a significant pyramid scheme that defrauded 1000’s of Colombians of their financial savings, in addition to Alex Saab, a Colombian businessman with shut ties to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who was later extradited to the US on money-laundering expenses.
Past legislation and politics, De la Espriella has additionally embraced a performative media persona, showing in shiny promotional movies the place he sings traditional songs similar to “My Way” and “Volare” in Spanish.
Usually dubbed “the devil’s advocate,” he has constructed a profitable authorized and media empire round his fame. He owns a fleet of luxurious vehicles, together with a Rolls Royce, and ceaselessly travels by personal jet. He has additionally cultivated a conspicuous public picture as a businessman and influencer, launching a style model, De La Espriella Fashion, which markets high-end equipment similar to luxurious watches and sneakers priced at over $1,000 a pair.
De la Espriella can be in search of to restore relations with Washington, which had turn out to be strained beneath Petro. Earlier this month, he obtained an endorsement from President Trump. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was among the many first to congratulate him, posting on social media that “Colombia’s best days are ahead.”
The outcome displays a broader rightward shift throughout Latin America. Far-right and center-right governments now maintain energy in nations together with Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, and Paraguay, with Peru additionally probably shifting in the identical course with a current election there nonetheless too near name.
