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Colombia Election: Right-wing Abelardo de la Espriella wins, initial count shows
TL;DR
Abelardo de la Espriella has won Colombia's presidential election with 49.7% of the vote, according to preliminary counts. His opponent, Iván Cepeda, received 48.7% of the votes.
Key points
- Abelardo de la Espriella won Colombia's presidential election
- Preliminary count shows 49.7% for de la Espriella
- Iván Cepeda received 48.7% of the votes
- Election results are based on over 99% of the vote counted
- Remaining ballots were blank votes
Mentioned in this story
Abelardo de la EspriellaIván CepedaDefenders of the MotherlandColombia
Presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella of the opposition Defenders of the Motherland movement. Rodrigo Abd/AP
Rodrigo Abd/AP
BOGOTA, Colombia—Right-wing populist candidate Abelardo de la Espriella has narrowly won Colombia's presidential election based on the preliminary "quick count" released by electoral authorities.
With over 99% of the vote counted in the preliminary tally, de la Espriella leads with 49.7% over his left-wing opponent Iván Cepeda, who has secured 48.7%. The remaining ballots were blank votes.
The razor-thin margin means no final result has been certified, and a slower, official manual count is expected over the coming days. Historically, Colombia's quick counts have closely tracked final certified results.
Reacting to the result, De la Espriella posted on social media: "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, and prosperous Colombia full of opportunities."
In a speech on Sunday evening, Cepeda, a close ally of outgoing President Gustavo Petro, said that while he recognizes the quick count result, his campaign is challenging results from around 33,000 ballot boxes.
In a series of posts on social media, Petro alleged irregularities in the preliminary vote count, and called for calm, declaring that neither candidate could "be proclaimed" until the initial count vote count was ratified.
Security was voters' top concern in the election according to pollsters. Colombia's armed conflict, which has lasted for decades, has intensified in recent years as armed groups and cartels expand their control over drug trafficking routes and illegal mining operations. Membership in groups has over the past five years, contributing to widespread displacement and insecurity.
Q&A
Who is Abelardo de la Espriella and what party does he represent?
Abelardo de la Espriella is a right-wing populist candidate representing the opposition Defenders of the Motherland movement.
What were the final vote percentages in the Colombia presidential election?
In the preliminary tally, Abelardo de la Espriella received 49.7% of the votes, while Iván Cepeda secured 48.7%.
What does the narrow victory of de la Espriella indicate for Colombia's political landscape?
De la Espriella's narrow victory suggests a divided electorate and potential challenges for governance amid strong opposition.
What percentage of votes were blank in the Colombia presidential election?
The remaining ballots in the election were blank votes, though the exact percentage is not specified in the preliminary count.
