TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Criminal defense lawyer and entrepreneur Abelardo de la Espriella is set to become Colombia’s next president, with preliminary results showing him narrowly leading the second round of the presidential election held on Sunday, June 21, 2026, according to Anadolu on Monday, June 22, 2026.
The result could mark a major political shift for the South American nation, potentially moving Colombia further to the right after four years of left-wing leadership under President Gustavo Petro.
With 99.93 percent of votes counted in the preliminary tally by Colombia’s National Civil Registry Office, De la Espriella, representing the Defensores de la Patria party, secured 49.65 percent of the vote. He narrowly defeated Ivan Cepeda of the ruling left-wing coalition Pacto Historico, who received 48.7 percent.
The close margin of fewer than 248,000 votes has created political uncertainty. Petro, whose presidency is coming to an end, and Cepeda have refused to recognize the preliminary count as the final result, citing allegations of irregularities.
De la Espriella, however, moved quickly to celebrate the result. Speaking before thousands of supporters in Barranquilla on Colombia’s Caribbean coast, he declared the beginning of a “new era.”
“The miracle nation begins today,” he said. “Petro and Cepeda, refrain from unleashing social unrest. Today Colombians elected me under the same system that elected the current occupant four years ago.”
Known by supporters as “The Tiger,” the 47-year-old entered politics as an outsider. Before running for president, he had never held elected office.
His campaign focused on promises to combat drug trafficking, organized crime, and armed groups, with security becoming one of the central themes of his platform.
From the Courtroom to Politics
Born in Bogota in 1978, De la Espriella rose to national prominence as a criminal defense lawyer before expanding into business. His ventures include real estate, construction-related businesses, fashion, and alcoholic beverage brands.
During his legal career, he represented a number of high-profile clients, including businessmen, politicians, and former paramilitary figures involved in corruption and criminal cases.
Among his most notable clients was David Murcia Guzman, founder of DMG, a company shut down following allegations that it operated as a Ponzi scheme.
He also represented Venezuelan businessman Alex Saab, a close associate of former President Nicolas Maduro.
Despite his public profile, De la Espriella remained outside electoral politics until launching his presidential campaign.
Security-Focused Platform
During the campaign, De la Espriella frequently appeared wearing Colombia’s national football jersey and promoted a tough security agenda focused on military action against guerrilla groups, drug networks, and armed organizations.
His approach has drawn comparisons with the security policies of El Salvador President Nayib Bukele, particularly regarding expanded law enforcement powers and tougher measures against criminal groups.
De la Espriella has proposed building large-scale prisons and rejected peace negotiations with armed organizations, arguing that criminal groups should be confronted rather than accommodated.
If confirmed, his victory could represent a significant setback for Petro’s “total peace” policy, which relies on negotiations with armed groups and criminal organizations to address Colombia’s decades-long internal conflict.
Critics have raised concerns over the potential impact of his administration on environmental policies and indigenous rights, particularly after Petro made climate protection and Amazon conservation key priorities of his government.
Meanwhile, De la Espriella has pledged to revive economic growth, attract investment, and strengthen public security.
Pro-US and Israel
A De la Espriella presidency is expected to improve Colombia’s relations with the United States and Israel, which became strained during Petro’s administration.
US President Donald Trump, who publicly supported De la Espriella during the campaign, welcomed the preliminary results on his Truth Social account, saying the candidate had “won, BIG!”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also congratulated De la Espriella and said the Trump administration looked forward to working with him.
De la Espriella, who also holds US citizenship, previously lived and worked in Miami for several years.
He has pledged to rebuild and strengthen ties with Israel, contrasting himself with Petro, who has been among the most outspoken global critics of Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Israeli media have described De la Espriella as a strongly pro-Israel candidate, while analysts have suggested his election could mark a shift away from the previous government’s more critical stance toward Israel.
Conservative leaders across Latin America also quickly responded to the preliminary results. Argentine President Javier Milei and Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa both congratulated De la Espriella and highlighted what they viewed as a broader rightward political shift in the region.
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