President Trump has made headlines by actively participating in Colombia’s presidential election, endorsing a right-wing candidate, Abelardo De La Espriella. This move continues Trump’s pattern of influencing foreign elections during his second term.
Trump expressed his support on Truth Social, congratulating De La Espriella for progressing in Sunday’s election. De La Espriella, who will face Iván Cepeda from the party of the current left-wing president, Gustavo Petro, received significant praise from Trump. The President lauded De La Espriella for his accomplishments and political allegiance.
De La Espriella is affectionately known as “El Tigre,” and Trump emphasized the importance of the election’s outcome on Colombia’s future ties with the U.S. Trump stated, “The results of this Election are very important to the future of Colombia and its relationship to the United States.” He described De La Espriella’s opponent, Iván Cepeda, as a “Radical Left Marxist.” Cepeda’s campaign has not issued any immediate reaction.
Expressing gratitude for Trump’s support, De La Espriella vowed to enhance U.S.-Colombia relations. He underscored the significance of collaboration between the two countries in combating crime and narcoterrorism, aiming to free Colombia from entrenched issues of pain and violence. In his interview with a Colombian news outlet, he highlighted, “It’s fundamental to understand that the United States is decisive to fight crime, narcoterrorism, and liberate Colombia once and for all from so much pain and so much violence.”