Left-wing Colombian senator Iván Cepeda acknowledged defeat in the country’s presidential race, stating that political differences must be resolved with respect and dialogue.
Cepeda was less than 1% behind the winner, Abelardo De La Espriella, in the initial count of votes, having obtained 48.7%, and had stated that he would await the final verification of the count by the National Registry.
The National Register reported Tuesday that the final count differed by just 0.003% from the initial count.
The recognition of Cepeda — candidate of the Historic Pact and ally of the government of the outgoing president, Gustavo Petro — paves the way for the transition of power in the country of 53 million inhabitants, after one of the most fierce elections in its recent history.
