Trump-Backed Lawyer Wins Colombia Presidency in Narrow Runoff Victory

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Bogota, Colombia: Conservative lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella has won Colombia's presidential election, defeating left-wing Senator Ivan Cepeda in a closely fought runoff and returning the country's right wing to power.

With more than 99% of votes counted, de la Espriella secured 49.65% of the vote, finishing ahead of Cepeda, who received 48.70%. The result capped one of Colombia's most polarised election campaigns in recent years.

The 47year old lawyer, who has never held public office, campaigned on promises to take a tougher approach against armed groups involved in drug trafficking and violence. He pledged to end negotiations with guerrilla factions that rejected Colombia's 2016 peace accord and proposed a US-backed military offensive against them.

De la Espriella, a dual Colombian-US citizen known by supporters as ‘The Tiger,’ received the endorsement of US President Donald Trump during the campaign. His victory is expected to strengthen relations with Washington after a period of strained ties.

Celebrations broke out in the capital, Bogota, as supporters wearing Colombia's yellow football jerseys waved flags and sounded horns following the announcement of the results. Despite the celebrations, the race remained extremely close, with only a few hundred thousand votes separating the candidates.

The election was overshadowed by security concerns, including guerrilla bomb attacks, threats against political candidates, and the killing of a prominent conservative presidential contender.

Analysts say the outcome could have significant implications for Colombia's decade-old peace process, which helped end a long-running conflict involving the former FARC guerrilla movement. De la Espriella has also advocated policies including expanded gun rights, construction of large prisons, reduced state intervention in the economy, and greater use of the US dollar.

His victory marks the return of Colombia's traditional right wing to the presidency after a period of left-leaning leadership.

Pic Credit: AFP