24/06/2026 09:54 - Internacionales
Colombia has spoken. In an election that kept the nation on edge until the final count, Abelardo de la Espriella has secured the presidency with 12,959,515 votes (49.66%), defeating his rival Iván Cepeda who obtained 12,708,695 votes (48.70%). With 99.99% of polling stations reporting, this represents one of the closest electoral contests in the country's democratic history.
For international observers, this election marks a pivotal moment in Latin American geopolitics. De la Espriella's victory signals a dramatic shift from the policies of outgoing President Gustavo Petro, Colombia's first left-wing president, who severed diplomatic ties with Israel in May 2024.
The official count confirms an extremely tight race:
| Candidate | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Abelardo de la Espriella | 12,959,515 | 49.66% |
| Iván Cepeda | 12,708,695 | 48.70% |
Source: National Registry / Infobae. 99.99% of votes counted.
Colombia is South America's third-most populous country (52+ million inhabitants) and a key U.S. ally in the region. The outgoing government of Gustavo Petro had pursued closer ties with Venezuela and broke relations with Israel over the Gaza conflict.
The "Isaac Accords" mentioned by Netanyahu refer to a diplomatic initiative to strengthen Israel-Latin America relations, similar to the Abraham Accords in the Middle East.
In Cúcuta, a major border city with Venezuela, De la Espriella captured an overwhelming 76.56% of votes. Residents cited fears about the "venezuelization" of Colombia—referring to mass migration, organized crime expansion, and armed groups like the ELN and the Tren de Aragua (a Venezuelan criminal organization operating across borders).
The president-elect has pledged to acquire military technology, drones, and artificial intelligence systems from Israel and the United States to combat armed groups, ending Petro's "Total Peace" policy of negotiating with guerrillas.
The inauguration is scheduled for August 7, 2026, following Colombian constitutional tradition. Meanwhile, outgoing President Gustavo Petro has called for "peaceful resistance" and alleged foreign interference in the election.
Under Colombia's Opposition Statute, runner-up Iván Cepeda will automatically receive a seat in the Senate, ensuring institutional representation for the opposition. Major labor unions like the CUT have announced strong opposition to the new government's policies.
De la Espriella has committed to reducing the fiscal deficit to 4.8% within 360 days and has already thanked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his congratulations message.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
