Key facts
- Donald Trump endorsed Colombian presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella.
- De la Espriella is a right-wing lawyer facing leftist senator Ivan Cepeda in a runoff.
- Trump stated the election is important for Colombia's future and its U.S. relationship.
- De la Espriella received 44% of the vote in the first round, Cepeda received 41%.
- De la Espriella proposed building 10 megaprisons and has tough rhetoric against armed groups.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump announced his endorsement of Colombian presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella on Tuesday. De la Espriella, a right-wing lawyer, is set to compete against leftist senator Ivan Cepeda in an upcoming runoff election. Trump emphasized the significance of the election's outcome for Colombia's future and its bilateral relationship with the United States. De la Espriella garnered nearly 44% of the votes in the first round, while Cepeda received under 41%. De la Espriella's policy proposals include building 10 megaprisons and tough rhetoric against illegal armed groups, drawing comparisons to El Salvador's Nayib Bukele. De la Espriella stated that he and Trump share values in defense of democracy, freedom, and the rule of law. Colombian President Gustavo Petro criticized Trump's endorsement, stating that freedom dies when one country interferes in another's decisions.