After a heated runoff, a right-wing populist known for his vow to crush crime and corruption has declared himself the winner of Colombia’s presidential election. The candidate, who styles himself as “The Tiger,” ordered the leftist administration to accept defeat, but the current government has refused, demanding a full review of the tight results.
The self-proclaimed victor, Abelardo de la Espriella, told his opponents to acknowledge the outcome, pack their bags, and prepare for a role in opposition. He warned against any street protests, insisting the election had a final verdict and that he would serve as a leader for all citizens, promising no reprisals.
De la Espriella, who campaigned on a platform of militarized security and economic revival, vowed to launch an unrelenting offensive against criminal gangs, kidnappers, and officials who misuse public funds. He declared the state is back in control.
His hardline stance resonated with voters anxious about public safety, and it earned him support from international allies. However, his own background has drawn scrutiny. Critics point to his past work as a lawyer for figures linked to paramilitaries, mafia networks, and money laundering operations, including a businessman connected to the Venezuelan government.
The current president has urged calm, warning against premature celebrations and calling for national dialogue. He stressed that no one can be declared the winner until the vote count is finalized. His ally, the leftist candidate, expressed gratitude to supporters and announced a legal challenge to results at tens of thousands of polling stations, vowing to accept only the final official tally.
The standoff stems from a razor-thin margin in the preliminary count. With over 26 million ballots cast, the right-wing candidate led by a mere 250,830 votes, or about 49.66% to 48.70%. These numbers have no legal authority, and the official winner will be determined by a rigorous review by judges and notaries, a process that may take days.