Key facts
- The United States and 13 Latin American countries issued a joint statement expressing concern over doubts cast on Colombia's electoral process.
- The statement did not specify the actions or comments it was addressing.
- The coalition is part of the 'Shield of the Americas,' a military alliance of right-wing leaders created by Donald Trump.
- Colombian presidential candidate Abelardo De La Espriella, who was endorsed by Trump, won a tight victory in the recent election.
- The statement stressed that government transitions are a constitutional duty to ensure democratic stability.
The United States and a group of Latin American countries expressed "deep concern" over statements and actions that cast doubt on the integrity of Colombia's electoral process. The joint statement, released by the State Department, did not specify the particular actions or comments it was addressing.
The statement was signed by the U.S., Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guyana, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay, and Trinidad and Tobago. This coalition is part of the "Shield of the Americas," a military alliance of right-wing leaders created by U.S. President Donald Trump to combat drug trafficking.
Colombian right-wing candidate Abelardo De La Espriella clinched a tight victory in the recent presidential election, a win that was endorsed by Trump. Colombian leftist senator Ivan Cepeda, who conceded the race, had criticized what he described as foreign interference by Trump, alleging voter manipulation through AI-generated content and accusing De La Espriella of vote-buying, though without providing evidence. De La Espriella also accused Cepeda of vote-buying.
The joint statement emphasized that the transition between governments is a constitutional and institutional duty designed to guarantee the continuity of the State, democratic stability, and the effective fulfillment of the popular will.