(Defensores de la Patria), a right-wing candidate, was the winner of the Colombian presidential elections, according to preliminary results, this Sunday (June 21, 2026). He won (Historic Pact, left), ally of the current president, (Colombia Humana, left).
With 99.80% of the ballots preliminarily counted, Espriella has 49.65% against 48.71% for Cepeda, according to data released by the Colombian CNE (National Electoral Council).
Gustavo Petro said this Sunday (June 21) that everyone should wait for the final count from the electoral commissions, which begin on Monday (June 22). “It is still impossible to know who the president is, and there are many irregularities”he declared.
The polls in Colombia closed at 6pm (Brasília time), and the preliminary counting of votes began immediately to determine the country’s next president.
Espriella was ahead in the 1st round, held on May 31st. He defeated Cepeda by a difference of almost 3 percentage points. The advantage was 673 thousand votes in a universe of more than 41 million eligible voters.
ABELARDO DE LA ESPRIELLA OTERO
Born in Bogotá, Espriella is a lawyer, 47 years old, Colombian and North American nationalities and Italian citizenship. Known as “El Tigre”, he is part of the Defensores de la Patria party and had never run for elected office.
His speech is based on his admiration for leaders such as Donald Trump, in the United States, in Argentina, and in El Salvador. The candidate has public support from the US government.
The main proposals of his government plan include:
- promote a broad reformulation of the management and command bodies of public institutions to combat drug trafficking, corruption and mismanagement;
- dismantle militias and parallel power structures;
- reform the public bidding system;
- implement a fiscal adjustment with a reduction of up to 25% in the size of the State;
- reduce the tax burden, reduce energy costs and simplify rules for the production sector.
