De la Espriella takes spotlight in Colombia’s presidential race with promise of crime crackdown | National News

On Jun 1, 2026

BOGOTÁ, Colombia (AP) — Bombastic pro-Trump lawyer Aberaldo de la Espriella pulled ahead in Colombia’s race for the presidency in the first round of elections over the weekend, capitalizing on a growing appetite for heavy-handed crackdowns on criminal groups across Latin America.

But the second-place finisher, progressive Sen. Iván Cepeda, and his ally, President Gustavo Petro, questioned the results of the election Sunday night, without providing evidence.

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