Abelardo de la Espriella has won Colombia’s presidential election, securing 49.7 percent of the vote in a tightly contested runoff against leftist candidate Ivan Cepeda.
The result, confirmed on Sunday, marks a decisive political realignment for the country, elevating a political outsider with no prior public office experience to the presidency.
De la Espriella, a 47-year-old lawyer and businessman, campaigned on a far-right platform and garnered the explicit support of US President Donald Trump.
His victory underscores the growing influence of populist, right-wing movements in Latin America and suggests a potential recalibration of Colombia’s foreign policy posture, particularly regarding Washington.
The narrow margin of victory highlights the deep polarization within Colombian society.
Investors and market participants will be watching closely for early signals on economic policy, given de la Espriella’s background in business and his alignment with US conservative leadership.