It took a while, but the endorsement that Colombia’s far-right presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella was most eagerly awaiting has finally arrived. U.S. President Donald Trump expressed his support for him on Tuesday via his social media platform, Truth. And he did so in the most effusive way possible: “Congratulations to Colombian presidential candidate El Tigre, Abelardo de la Espriella, a smart, strong, and tough leader, on his decisive victory in the first round of Colombia’s presidential election,” the Republican celebrated in his message.
Washington’s official endorsement is yet another victory for the underdog candidate, who won the first round on Sunday with more than 10.3 million votes and has the momentum on his side heading into June 21, when he will face the leftist candidate Iván Cepeda in a runoff.
De la Espriella is an outspoken admirer of Trump and has sought to strengthen ties with his inner circle in recent months. He traveled to Miami twice during the campaign and met with several Republican congressmen and with Christopher Landau, the U.S. Under Secretary of State. On more than a few occasions, the Colombian candidate has, through letters and press releases, urged Trump to take action against criminal groups in Colombia and warned him of the alleged risks that Colombian President Gustavo Petro poses to the country’s democracy.
De la Espriella reacted immediately. In an interview with Semana magazine, he stated: “Thank you; without him, none of this would be possible. […] It is essential to understand that the U.S. plays a decisive role in combating crime and narco-terrorism. On trade issues as well, the U.S. is our primary partner. In the Tiger era, taking trade to unprecedented heights will be crucial.”
Petro’s response came shortly thereafter. In a post on X, the Colombian president criticized his U.S. counterpart’s “interference” in domestic politics. “When one country interferes in another’s decisions, freedom dies. I urge all of Colombia to vote in complete freedom and not become anyone’s slaves or colony,” he declared.
Petro and Trump had smoothed over their differences during a meeting held in February at the White House. Although the U.S. president is not particularly popular in Colombia—a recent poll showed a 37.6% approval rating and a 45.2% disapproval rating—Petro has been boasting in recent months about what he has called a good relationship. “I’ve spoken with him twice recently. Meeting him burst certain misleading myths about Colombia and about me. He got to know a different person,” he told EL PAÍS in April. Now Trump is backing the candidate whom the Colombian president has branded a fascist.
From Javier Milei in Argentina to José Antonio Kast in Chile, Trump has, since his return to the White House, built up a long track record of supporting right-wing and far-right politicians and candidates across the continent.
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