Trump Backs Far-Right Outsider as Polls Put Colombia Runoff on Edge

Overview

• A close first round on Sunday, May 31 produced a runoff between Abelardo de la Espriella and Iván Cepeda, with pre-count totals giving Espriella roughly 43.7% and Cepeda about 40.9%.
• Cepeda formally dropped initial public doubts about irregularities on June 1 after his team said it found no evidence warranting a challenge to the first-round results.
• President Trump announced his personal endorsement of Espriella on Truth Social on June 2, a move that President Gustavo Petro publicly criticized as foreign interference.
• An AtlasIntel poll released June 3 projects Espriella ahead in a head-to-head second round at about 50.3% versus 42.6% for Cepeda, reflecting right-wing vote transfers from Paloma Valencia and other conservative figures.
• Analysts warn the polarized left-versus-far-right contest, Espriella’s hardline security platform rejecting peace talks, and high-profile international signals could strain Colombia’s institutions, influence investor confidence, and reshape foreign ties after the June 21 runoff.