Abelardo de la Espriella has won Colombia’s presidential runoff, securing a narrow victory over his rival Ivan Cepeda in a contest that marks a decisive shift to the right for the South American nation.
With nearly all polling centers reporting, de la Espriella captured 49.65% of the vote to Cepeda’s 48.70%, according to results cited by South China Morning Post and confirmed by Hindu Businessline.
The flamboyant lawyer, who has never held public office, campaigned on a promise to wage war against drug-running guerrilla groups and aligns closely with former US President Donald Trump.
His victory is expected to reshape Colombia’s domestic security strategy and its foreign policy posture, potentially bringing the country closer to Washington on issues of narcotics enforcement and regional security.
Markets are assessing the implications of the political transition.
While the immediate economic impact remains unclear, investors are monitoring potential shifts in regulatory frameworks and security spending.