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U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday endorsed Colombian presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella ahead of Sunday's runoff election, urging voters to support the hard-right contender.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump described De la Espriella, known by supporters as “El Tigre” (The Tiger), as a “smart, strong, and tough leader” who loves Colombia and fights for its people.
“As President, Abelardo will be tremendously successful in leading Colombia to grow the economy, create jobs, promote trade, stop illegal immigration, crack down on crime and drugs, and restore LAW AND ORDER!” Trump wrote.
He contrasted De la Espriella with his opponent, leftist senator Ivan Cepeda, whom he described as a “radical left Marxist.”
“The results of this election are very important to the future of Colombia and its relationship to the United States,” Trump said, adding that a De la Espriella victory would ensure Colombia has “the total support and strength of the United States behind him.”
“Because of his tremendous accomplishments in life, and his political support for me, it is my honor to give Abelardo my complete and total endorsement,” he added.
Colombians will vote Sunday in a closely watched presidential runoff that pits De la Espriella against Cepeda in a contest that could reshape the country's security policies, peace process and relations with Washington.
More than 41 million eligible voters will decide whether Colombia continues under a left-leaning political project associated with outgoing President Gustavo Petro or shifts sharply to the right.
The campaign has unfolded against a backdrop of worsening security concerns, including bomb attacks in southern Colombia, explosive drone strikes and the assassination of a leading presidential candidate in Bogota.
“All I ask is that the incoming president crack down hard,” retired soldier Ariel Jamaica, 48, told Agence France-Presse (AFP). “There is too much insecurity.”
De la Espriella, a lawyer and former opera singer, topped the first round of voting in May after campaigning on a tough security platform.
He has pledged to launch an aggressive campaign against armed groups involved in drug trafficking and has said he would seek U.S. support for a 90-day military offensive, including airstrikes and coca crop fumigation operations.
Cepeda, a 63-year-old philosopher, senator and longtime human rights advocate, has championed negotiations with armed groups and is widely regarded as the political heir to Petro, who is constitutionally barred from seeking another term.
The son of a communist senator killed by right-wing paramilitaries, Cepeda has been one of the leading advocates of Colombia’s “total peace” strategy.
While he recently indicated that peace talks may require adjustments, he has continued to favor dialogue over military escalation.
Critics of the current government argue that armed groups have expanded their territorial control and strengthened their finances during Petro’s presidency.
De la Espriella has sought to position himself as a political outsider despite his close ties to former President Alvaro Uribe, one of Colombia’s most influential conservative figures.
His campaign has drawn criticism over a series of controversial remarks, including comments described by opponents as sexist and homophobic.
Nevertheless, he has benefited from a broader regional trend that has seen right-wing candidates win elections in countries such as Bolivia, Chile and Ecuador on security-focused platforms.
Trump’s endorsement further underscores the international dimension of the race.
Colombia has long been Washington’s closest partner in South America, receiving billions of dollars in military, security and intelligence assistance over the past two decades.
Relations, however, have become increasingly strained since Trump returned to office and repeatedly clashed with President Petro.
The first round of voting highlighted the collapse of Colombia’s traditional political center, with De la Espriella winning more than 43% of the vote and Cepeda securing roughly 41%.
“Both sides have very fervent followers, but another part of the country is voting out of fear of the other,” political analyst Julian Lopez told Agence France-Presse (AFP).
Cepeda's support remains strongest among progressive voters and lower-income communities that have benefited from reductions in poverty, rising wages and lower unemployment under the current administration.
“I’m worried because one candidate tries to protect the environment and the other to destroy it. What are we going to live on?” said Kevin Guetivo, a 28-year-old farmer from the Amazon region of Putumayo.
The outcome of Sunday's vote is expected to shape Colombia's political direction for years to come while determining the future of its peace efforts and relationship with the United States.
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