Far-right Abelardo de la Espriella inches into victory in quick count in Colombia elections
The razor-thin margin, however, is effectively a statistical tie. Official results likely delayed until manual count completed
Far-right candidate Abelardo de la Espriella has won the quick count in Colombia’s presidential elections.
With 99.22% of the vote counted, de la Espriella led with 49.7% over his left-wing opponent, Ivan Cepeda, who captured 48.5%. The razor-thin margin, roughly 275,000 votes, likely means we won’t have official results immediately, but will have to wait for the slower manual count in the coming days.
The final weeks of the election were tense as de la Espriella personally threatened journalists, critics, and leftists more broadly.
De la Espriella has promised to dismantle key aspects of the 2016 Peace Accord with left-wing rebel group FARC, “iron fist” security crackdowns on crime, and aggressive military operations against non-state armed groups in the country.
The Trump-endorsed candidate has also promised to remove Colombia from the United Nations and build 10 “mega-prisons,” modelled after the infamous CECOT detention center in El Salvador.
He has almost promised a “Plan Colombia 2.0,” presumably inviting joint US-Colombian military operations in the country.
Some in Colombia have accused the US of election manipulation, not only endorsing a right-wing candidate in the country, but even arresting critics of de la Espriella in the US.
The result is almost certain to inspire protests from leftist sectors in the country.
After the first round, which was led by de la Espriella, current president Gustavo Petro charged fraud in the process. He did not produce evidence to support his claims, and the accusations were rejected by Cepeda.
In remarks a few hours after the quick count, Cepeda struck a calm tone, calling on supporters to await the official vote scrutiny process, and saying quick count results are not legally binding.
This story is being updated throughout the evening.
This is so deeply disappointing.
Fuck