The right-wing candidate Abelardo de la Espriella, who was endorsed by US President Donald Trump, has won Colombia’s presidential election on Sunday (Jun 21), as per the initial vote count. His narrow victory against left-wing Iván Cepeda, a close ally of the president, Gustavo Petro, signals a potential shift in the country’s approach to security, crime and the long-running internal conflict. Espriella has vowed to wage a war against drug-running guerrilla groups.“Today begins a new stage for our country, a stage built on the free and democratic will of millions of citizens who chose to believe in a great, safe, prosperous Colombia full of opportunities,” Espriella said after winning the elections.With more than 99 per cent of the votes counted, Espriella was leading with 49.7 per cent of the vote as Cepeda trailed with 48.7 per cent.The 47-year-old’s victory is expected to ease tensions with Washington and reflects a broader trend across Latin America, where right-wing leaders advocating tough-on-crime policies have gained power.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/the-politics-of-perception-decoding-the-g7-s-most-viral-moments-1781782259617">The politics of perception: Decoding G7 Summit’s most viral moments</a>“We are beginning a new era!” he told supporters in the Caribbean city of Barranquilla. “For those who have sown violence, terror, drug trafficking, and corruption all these years, their time is up!”Meanwhile, thousands took to streets of Colombia’s third-largest city of Cali, where protesters burned American flags, opposing De la Espriella. The police resorted to using tear gas to disperse the crowd.<h2>Trump, Rubio congratulates Espriella</h2>Reacting to right-wing leader’s success, Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform, “He Won, BIG!”US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also congratulated Espriella, saying that the Trump administration looks forward to working with his incoming administration.“The Trump Administration looks forward to working closely with your incoming administration to advance regional security cooperation, end illegal immigration to the United States, and strengthen our economic ties,” he wrote in a post on X.Watch | Colombia: Trump-Backed Conservative Faces Petro Ally in Polarised Contest<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/colombia-trump-backed-conservative-faces-petro-ally-in-polarised-contest-1782061908950/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/colombia-trump-backed-conservative-faces-petro-ally-in-polarised-contest-1782061908950/embed</a>

Trump-backed Abelardo de la Espriella won Colombia's presidential election in a tight race, defeating Iván Cepeda. He pledged a tough crackdown on crime, guerrilla groups and drug trafficking.

The right-wing candidate Abelardo de la Espriella, who was endorsed by US President Donald Trump, has won Colombia’s presidential election on Sunday (Jun 21), as per the initial vote count. His narrow victory against left-wing Iván Cepeda, a close ally of the president, Gustavo Petro, signals a potential shift in the country’s approach to security, crime and the long-running internal conflict. Espriella has vowed to wage a war against drug-running guerrilla groups. “Today begins a new stage for our country, a stage built on the free and democratic will of millions of citizens who chose to believe in a great, safe, prosperous Colombia full of opportunities,” Espriella said after winning the elections. With more than 99 per cent of the votes counted, Espriella was leading with 49.7 per cent of the vote as Cepeda trailed with 48.7 per cent. The 47-year-old’s victory is expected to ease tensions with Washington and reflects a broader trend across Latin America, where right-wing leaders advocating tough-on-crime policies have gained power. Also read | The politics of perception: Decoding G7 Summit’s most viral moments “We are beginning a new era!” he told supporters in the Caribbean city of Barranquilla. “For those who have sown violence, terror, drug trafficking, and corruption all these years, their time is up!” Meanwhile, thousands took to streets of Colombia’s third-largest city of Cali, where protesters burned American flags, opposing De la Espriella. The police resorted to using tear gas to disperse the crowd. Trump, Rubio congratulates Espriella Reacting to right-wing leader’s success, Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform, “He Won, BIG!” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also congratulated Espriella, saying that the Trump administration looks forward to working with his incoming administration. “The Trump Administration looks forward to working closely with your incoming administration to advance regional security cooperation, end illegal immigration to the United States, and strengthen our economic ties,” he wrote in a post on X. Watch | Colombia: Trump-Backed Conservative Faces Petro Ally in Polarised Contest https://www.wionews.com/videos/colombia-trump-backed-conservative-faces-petro-ally-in-polarised-contest-1782061908950/embed

Trump-backed Abelardo de la Espriella won Colombia's presidential election in a tight race, defeating Iván Cepeda. He pledged a tough crackdown on crime, guerrilla groups and drug trafficking.

‘He Won, BIG!’: Trump-backed Abelardo de la Espriella defeats Petro ally in Colombia vote

Colombian opposition candidates largely swept elections for mayors, governors and regional lawmakers on Sunday, dealing a defeat to President Gustavo Petro's leftist coalition in votes that analysts called a referendum on his government.

Petro, a 63-year-old economist who was elected in August 2022 as the first leftist president in Colombia's history, has low poll ratings, and Sunday's outcome is expected to influence the 2026 presidential election.

Petro cannot seek re-election.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-judge-reimposes-donald-trump-gag-order-in-2020-election-interference-case-652855">US judge reimposes Donald Trump gag order in 2020 election interference case</a>

In the capital of Bogota, the ruling coalition's candidate, Gustavo Bolivar, came in third place for mayor, one of the top government positions after the presidency.

In accepting the loss, Bolivar called the result a "punishment vote" over disappointment with Petro's government.

Political analyst Sergio Guzman, director of Colombia Risk Analysis, said Bolivar's loss sends "a very strong message," in spite of insistence from Petro's government that the vote is not a reflection on the president.

Carlos Fernando Galan, of the New Liberalism Party, won the Bogota mayoral election with nearly half the vote.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-america-and-its-enduring-gun-violence-issue-652819">Explained | America and its enduring gun violence issue</a>

Petro congratulated the winning candidates and said he planned to work together.

"We will work to articulate their campaign proposals so that we can build together a country that fights corruption, injustice, and faces the climate change crisis," he said in a televised address.

"It is our duty as rulers to respect the voice of the people."

Most candidates are backed by coalitions involving several parties or by signatures from citizens which allow them to run as independents.

Voters in Colombia's other two biggest cities, Medellin and Cali, elected as mayor politicians who are strong critics of Petro.

Many of the winning candidates had vowed to improve security and promote projects that will create jobs with private sector support.

Almost 39 million Colombians were eligible to vote, and the ballots included more than 125,000 candidates.

Although campaigning was marked by deteriorating security and threats to candidates, voting largely proceeded without incident.

The National Registrar's Office reported two municipalities where voting was suspended due to incidents of violence.

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Colombian opposition candidates largely swept elections for mayors, governors and regional lawmakers on Sunday, dealing a defeat to President Gustavo Petro's leftist coalition in votes that analysts called a referendum on his government.

Colombian opposition candidates largely swept elections for mayors, governors and regional lawmakers on Sunday, dealing a defeat to President Gustavo Petro's leftist coalition in votes that analysts called a referendum on his government. Petro, a 63-year-old economist who was elected in August 2022 as the first leftist president in Colombia's history, has low poll ratings, and Sunday's outcome is expected to influence the 2026 presidential election. Petro cannot seek re-election. Also read | US judge reimposes Donald Trump gag order in 2020 election interference case In the capital of Bogota, the ruling coalition's candidate, Gustavo Bolivar, came in third place for mayor, one of the top government positions after the presidency. In accepting the loss, Bolivar called the result a "punishment vote" over disappointment with Petro's government. Political analyst Sergio Guzman, director of Colombia Risk Analysis, said Bolivar's loss sends "a very strong message," in spite of insistence from Petro's government that the vote is not a reflection on the president. Carlos Fernando Galan, of the New Liberalism Party, won the Bogota mayoral election with nearly half the vote. Also read | Explained | America and its enduring gun violence issue Petro congratulated the winning candidates and said he planned to work together. "We will work to articulate their campaign proposals so that we can build together a country that fights corruption, injustice, and faces the climate change crisis," he said in a televised address. "It is our duty as rulers to respect the voice of the people." Most candidates are backed by coalitions involving several parties or by signatures from citizens which allow them to run as independents. Voters in Colombia's other two biggest cities, Medellin and Cali, elected as mayor politicians who are strong critics of Petro. Many of the winning candidates had vowed to improve security and promote projects that will create jobs with private sector support. Almost 39 million Colombians were eligible to vote, and the ballots included more than 125,000 candidates. Although campaigning was marked by deteriorating security and threats to candidates, voting largely proceeded without incident. The National Registrar's Office reported two municipalities where voting was suspended due to incidents of violence. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Colombian opposition politicians defeat Petro's coalition in local, regional elections

Colombia’s&nbsp;Ambassador to India&nbsp;Mariana Pacheco Montes has said that her country electing a left-wing President&nbsp;Gustavo Petro&nbsp;is a show of “strong democracy”.

Speaking to WION’s diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Ambassador&nbsp;Mariana explained, “This is the third time he has gone as a presidential candidate, so he’s not new to politics, but what is new is Colombia elects for the first time a left-wing President. He got a margin of 3 per cent over his contender, there is a lot of expectation and enthusiasm about him coming to power.”

Gustavo Petro will take charge next month. He&nbsp;has been a member of the guerrilla movement that later transformed into a political party. Many of the Latin American countries have seen left-wing governments but Colombia remained the last bastion. Ambassador said that President-elect plans to even have an “open conversation with Venezuela and open the relations” with the neighbouring country, which will be a big breakthrough in the region.&nbsp;In 2019, Venezuela’s Maduro cut off diplomatic ties with Colombia.

WION: For the first time ever, your country will have a leftist govt under President-elect Gustavo Petro, if you can talk about the change in your country.

Mariana Pacheco Montes: It is the first time ever&nbsp;that most Colombians went out to vote, and first time ever Colombia elected a left-wing President, and the first time Colombia elects African-Colombian woman as vice-president. This is a proof of the strong democracy that we have in Colombia, the institutionality and the institutions themselves. We are in the midst of a transition to the new government&nbsp;that will take power on 7th&nbsp;August this year.

WION: How significant is this because we know historically FARC hasn't played a very positive role.

Mariana Pacheco Montes: First, President-elect&nbsp;Gustavo Petro&nbsp;demobilized the guerrilla army in the early 1990s, he is a&nbsp;well-known politician, and after that, he went into politics. This is the 3rd&nbsp;time he has gone as the presidential candidate, so he is not new to politics but what is new is Colombia elected for the first time a left-wing President. He got a margin of 3% over his contender, there is a lot of expectation and enthusiasm about him coming to power. He is receiving a country that despite the pandemic is very well managed. A country that is open and growing and has the largest economic growth last year at 10.8%. For this year, according to OECD, Colombia will grow at 6.8%, one of the highest rate in Latin America. The unemployment rate has also decreased and with pride, I have to say that women are leading the recovery of unemployment in Colombia. So, it’s going to be interesting, with a lot of expectations and a lot of enthusiasm in Colombia. 
&nbsp;

WION: How significant it has been for the region, given Colombia has been the last bastion or the country in the region that never had a left-wing govt. How does it also impact your ties with Venezuela?&nbsp;

Mariana Pacheco Montes:&nbsp;It’s not that the country is falling, it’s just the democratic transition from centre-right to the Left, as in many other countries. Wherever there is democracy, there are transitions, and that is what is going on in Colombia. President-elect has said that he will open a conversation with Venezuela and open relations. That is not to say we haven’t had open and fraternal relations with the Venezuelan people. We have received more than 2 million Venezuelans in Colombia and we have formalized or legalized their status in Colombia. So far 1.8 million Venezuelans are living formally in Colombia. It is what some academicians call the pink tide of Latin America where many of the countries are going towards the left.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

WION: The recently announced reconciliation report that has been announced is being hailed as a watershed moment in your country’s history. If you can explain to our viewers this report, and also the peace pact that saw Colombia being discussed at UNSC.

Mariana Pacheco Montes:&nbsp;Colombia signed a peace agreement in 2016 with&nbsp;FARC which became a political party and some of those members did not follow, did not demobilize and are still in illegality. With regards to members who have followed the demobilization process, there are more than 10,000 members of the former FARC and some of them are members of the senate, and members of the House of Representatives which is a big step and part of the peace accord signed in 2016. The peace accord has a process of 16 years that it has to follow, and the Colombian government called the UN for a verification mission so that every 6 months the minister of foreign affairs goes with the head of the implementation of the peace agreement and reports how the implementation of the peace agreement is going on. As such, since India is a member of the UNSC, it&nbsp;has also has been part of those reports in the last year and a half.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

WION: How do you see the relationship between India and Colombia going forward?

Mariana Pacheco Montes: Very good, I think we are in a very good stage of our bilateral relations and I am very proud as an ambassador that we have come across many bridges, not only in the economic, and cultural space. We are at Casa Colombia, the first cultural centre at the Colombian embassy, and we expanded Indian investment in Colombia. We had a high-level&nbsp;visit, with the Vice President, and Minister of foreign affairs in October, we had MOS MEA Lekhi going to Colombia, and we hope many more happen. Some great tech transfers and investments in pharma companies have happened in Colombia from India. Tech Mahindra, TCS, and Hero Motorcycles are expanding and doing well in Colombia. I see and am proud to be part to be working hand-in-hand in partnership and friendship which has been stronger than ever.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

WION: What is the cultural link between India and Colombia?

Mariana Pacheco Montes: Very much so, not only in music, art and everything. My son is with me here and he is studying Hindustani classical music and he has an Indo-Latino group which is very interesting. We are much alike. At Casa Colombia, we brought an Urban Colombian artist who is painting at Vasant Vihar metro station, so our ties are growing stronger and stronger.

Colombia’s Ambassador to India Mariana Pacheco Montes has said that her country electing a left-wing President Gustavo Petro is a show of “strong democracy”. Speaking to WION’s diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Ambassador Mariana explained, “This is the third time he has gone as a presidential candidate, so he’s not new to politics, but what is new is Colombia elects for the first time a left-wing President.

Colombia’s Ambassador to India Mariana Pacheco Montes has said that her country electing a left-wing President Gustavo Petro is a show of “strong democracy”. Speaking to WION’s diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Ambassador Mariana explained, “This is the third time he has gone as a presidential candidate, so he’s not new to politics, but what is new is Colombia elects for the first time a left-wing President. He got a margin of 3 per cent over his contender, there is a lot of expectation and enthusiasm about him coming to power.” Gustavo Petro will take charge next month. He has been a member of the guerrilla movement that later transformed into a political party. Many of the Latin American countries have seen left-wing governments but Colombia remained the last bastion. Ambassador said that President-elect plans to even have an “open conversation with Venezuela and open the relations” with the neighbouring country, which will be a big breakthrough in the region. In 2019, Venezuela’s Maduro cut off diplomatic ties with Colombia. WION: For the first time ever, your country will have a leftist govt under President-elect Gustavo Petro, if you can talk about the change in your country. Mariana Pacheco Montes: It is the first time ever that most Colombians went out to vote, and first time ever Colombia elected a left-wing President, and the first time Colombia elects African-Colombian woman as vice-president. This is a proof of the strong democracy that we have in Colombia, the institutionality and the institutions themselves. We are in the midst of a transition to the new government that will take power on 7th August this year. WION: How significant is this because we know historically FARC hasn't played a very positive role. Mariana Pacheco Montes: First, President-elect Gustavo Petro demobilized the guerrilla army in the early 1990s, he is a well-known politician, and after that, he went into politics. This is the 3rd time he has gone as the presidential candidate, so he is not new to politics but what is new is Colombia elected for the first time a left-wing President. He got a margin of 3% over his contender, there is a lot of expectation and enthusiasm about him coming to power. He is receiving a country that despite the pandemic is very well managed. A country that is open and growing and has the largest economic growth last year at 10.8%. For this year, according to OECD, Colombia will grow at 6.8%, one of the highest rate in Latin America. The unemployment rate has also decreased and with pride, I have to say that women are leading the recovery of unemployment in Colombia. So, it’s going to be interesting, with a lot of expectations and a lot of enthusiasm in Colombia. WION: How significant it has been for the region, given Colombia has been the last bastion or the country in the region that never had a left-wing govt. How does it also impact your ties with Venezuela? Mariana Pacheco Montes: It’s not that the country is falling, it’s just the democratic transition from centre-right to the Left, as in many other countries. Wherever there is democracy, there are transitions, and that is what is going on in Colombia. President-elect has said that he will open a conversation with Venezuela and open relations. That is not to say we haven’t had open and fraternal relations with the Venezuelan people. We have received more than 2 million Venezuelans in Colombia and we have formalized or legalized their status in Colombia. So far 1.8 million Venezuelans are living formally in Colombia. It is what some academicians call the pink tide of Latin America where many of the countries are going towards the left. WION: The recently announced reconciliation report that has been announced is being hailed as a watershed moment in your country’s history. If you can explain to our viewers this report, and also the peace pact that saw Colombia being discussed at UNSC. Mariana Pacheco Montes: Colombia signed a peace agreement in 2016 with FARC which became a political party and some of those members did not follow, did not demobilize and are still in illegality. With regards to members who have followed the demobilization process, there are more than 10,000 members of the former FARC and some of them are members of the senate, and members of the House of Representatives which is a big step and part of the peace accord signed in 2016. The peace accord has a process of 16 years that it has to follow, and the Colombian government called the UN for a verification mission so that every 6 months the minister of foreign affairs goes with the head of the implementation of the peace agreement and reports how the implementation of the peace agreement is going on. As such, since India is a member of the UNSC, it has also has been part of those reports in the last year and a half. WION: How do you see the relationship between India and Colombia going forward? Mariana Pacheco Montes: Very good, I think we are in a very good stage of our bilateral relations and I am very proud as an ambassador that we have come across many bridges, not only in the economic, and cultural space. We are at Casa Colombia, the first cultural centre at the Colombian embassy, and we expanded Indian investment in Colombia. We had a high-level visit, with the Vice President, and Minister of foreign affairs in October, we had MOS MEA Lekhi going to Colombia, and we hope many more happen. Some great tech transfers and investments in pharma companies have happened in Colombia from India. Tech Mahindra, TCS, and Hero Motorcycles are expanding and doing well in Colombia. I see and am proud to be part to be working hand-in-hand in partnership and friendship which has been stronger than ever. WION: What is the cultural link between India and Colombia? Mariana Pacheco Montes: Very much so, not only in music, art and everything. My son is with me here and he is studying Hindustani classical music and he has an Indo-Latino group which is very interesting. We are much alike. At Casa Colombia, we brought an Urban Colombian artist who is painting at Vasant Vihar metro station, so our ties are growing stronger and stronger.

As Colombia gets its first left-wing President, envoy Mariana says it’s a proof of strong democracy

Who is Gustavo Petro, the ex-guerilla who's Colombia's first leftist leader

Gustavo Petro, a former Bogota mayor, has won the first round of the presidential votes in the Colombian election. The 62-year-old has secured 40.3 per cent votes and now has a shot at becoming Colombia's first-ever leftist president.

Trailing behind Petro in second place is surprise contender and businessman Rodolfo Hernandez, with 28 per cent of the votes.

The second round of voting, which will take place on June 19, will decide who will emerge victorious.

Hernandez, a 77-year-old millionaire and himself an ex-mayor, ran on an anti-corruption platform and edged out right-winger Federico Gutierrez, a former mayor of the second city Medellin.

Petro, who is a former member of the M-19 guerrilla movement, has vowed "real change" if elected, and promised to pursue "social justice and economic stability."

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/petro-vs-gutierrez-first-phase-of-colombian-presidential-elections-to-begin-soon-483209/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"A company cannot grow if society is impoverished. Profits cannot grow sustainably if the majority of the population (suffers from) hunger," he said.&nbsp;

Hernandez's late surge has complicated Petro's road to the presidency, according to political analysts.

"We do not want to lose the country and we will not put at risk the future of Colombia, of our families, our children," Gutierrez said.

Also see |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/polarised-election-bogota-voters-weigh-presidential-options-483108">'Polarised election': Bogota voters weigh presidential options</a>

Over 8.5 million Colombians clamoring for "change" voted for Petro, while Hernandez, who is not aligned to a political party, garnered 5.9 million votes.

In the 2018 presidential election, Ivan Duque had defeated Petro but is now leaving office with record disapproval numbers after a constitutionally limited single, four-year term.

According to the World Bank, approximately 40 percent of Colombia's 50 million people live in poverty, and the country has one of the highest levels of income inequality in the world.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Watch WION's live TV here:

Gustavo Petro, a former Bogota mayor, has won the first round of the presidential votes in the Colombian election. The 62-year-old has secured 40.3 per cent votes and now has a shot at becoming Colombia's first-ever leftist president.

Gustavo Petro, a former Bogota mayor, has won the first round of the presidential votes in the Colombian election. The 62-year-old has secured 40.3 per cent votes and now has a shot at becoming Colombia's first-ever leftist president. Trailing behind Petro in second place is surprise contender and businessman Rodolfo Hernandez, with 28 per cent of the votes. The second round of voting, which will take place on June 19, will decide who will emerge victorious. Hernandez, a 77-year-old millionaire and himself an ex-mayor, ran on an anti-corruption platform and edged out right-winger Federico Gutierrez, a former mayor of the second city Medellin. Petro, who is a former member of the M-19 guerrilla movement, has vowed "real change" if elected, and promised to pursue "social justice and economic stability." "A company cannot grow if society is impoverished. Profits cannot grow sustainably if the majority of the population (suffers from) hunger," he said. Hernandez's late surge has complicated Petro's road to the presidency, according to political analysts. "We do not want to lose the country and we will not put at risk the future of Colombia, of our families, our children," Gutierrez said. Also see | 'Polarised election': Bogota voters weigh presidential options Over 8.5 million Colombians clamoring for "change" voted for Petro, while Hernandez, who is not aligned to a political party, garnered 5.9 million votes. In the 2018 presidential election, Ivan Duque had defeated Petro but is now leaving office with record disapproval numbers after a constitutionally limited single, four-year term. According to the World Bank, approximately 40 percent of Colombia's 50 million people live in poverty, and the country has one of the highest levels of income inequality in the world. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION's live TV here:

Colombia election: Leftist Gustavo Petro wins first round of presidential vote

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