Progressive contender Iván Cepeda conceded Colombia’s presidential election to Abelardo de la Espriella, a conservative newcomer supported by U.S. President Donald Trump. The election results revealed that de la Espriella, a businessman and attorney with no prior political experience, defeated Cepeda, a current lawmaker, by a margin of 1 percentage point, equating to nearly 251,000 votes.
In a national address, Cepeda stated, “We assume with serenity, responsibility, and absolute resolve — and let there be no doubt about this — the role that circumstances demand of us.” He added, “We will exercise a democratic, vigilant, and constructive opposition.”
The election outcome was seen as a critique of outgoing President Gustavo Petro’s administration. Cepeda had pledged to continue Petro’s policies, including a largely ineffective attempt to initiate discussions with various armed groups, called “total peace.”
The majority of the vote count was published by electoral authorities within hours of the polls closing on Sunday. Petro and Cepeda did not initially accept the results; Cepeda indicated that he would require a recount to do so.
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