U.S. President Donald Trump publicly backed conservative lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella on June 2, ahead of a closely contested presidential runoff with leftist Senator Iván Cepeda. De la Espriella, who has never held elected office, won nearly 44% in the first round to Cepeda’s just under 41%. His hardline proposals — including plans for 10 "megaprisons" and tough rhetoric toward illegal armed groups — have drawn comparisons to El Salvador’s Nayib Bukele. Colombian President Gustavo Petro condemned the endorsement as foreign interference that threatens national sovereignty.
Trump Endorses Abelardo de la Espriella Ahead of Tight Colombian Runoff; Petro Calls It Interference
Colombian presidential candidate Abelardo De La Espriella of the political movement Defenders of the Homeland gestures as he addresses supporters after the results of the first round of the presidential election, in Barranquilla, Colombia May 31, 2026. REUTERS/Sergio Acero
June 2 — U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday publicly endorsed Abelardo de la Espriella, a conservative lawyer, as Colombia heads into a closely contested presidential runoff later this month against leftist Senator Iván Cepeda.
De la Espriella, who has never held elected office, advanced to the June runoff after receiving nearly 44% of the vote in a tight first round; Cepeda garnered just under 41%. The endorsement adds an international dimension to a race that will shape Colombia’s policy direction and its relationship with Washington.
Hardline Platform and Bukele Comparisons
De la Espriella’s combative public style and policy proposals — including tough rhetoric against illegal armed groups and a pledge to build 10 so-called "megaprisons" — have prompted comparisons to El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele. In a video interview shared on social media, De la Espriella said the United States "plays a crucial role in combating crime and narco-terrorism and in finally freeing Colombia from so much pain and violence," adding that he and Trump "share values and principles in defense of democracy, in defense of freedom and in defense of the rule of law."
Domestic Reaction
Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who has had a strained relationship with Trump, criticized the endorsement on social media, warning that foreign interference undermines national sovereignty. Petro wrote:
"When one country interferes in another country’s decisions, freedom dies."
The endorsement is likely to sharpen debate over security, justice and Colombia’s ties with the United States in the run-up to the runoff election.
Reporting by Reuters.
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