Trump-Backed Outsider Appears to Win Colombian Presidential Race

A Trump-backed outsider appears poised to win Colombia’s presidential election, signaling a potential shift toward conservative rule after four years under leftist President Gustavo Petro. Lawyer Abelardo De La Espriella, 47, with no prior political experience, led with 49.7% of the vote as of Sunday night, while senator Iván Cepeda, a longtime human-rights advocate, had 48.7% with more than 99% of votes counted in preliminary official results. In Bogotá and Barranquilla, supporters celebrated while opponents protested, as Petro said there would be “no president” until scrutiny of ballots. The race also highlighted the region’s broader rightward trend in President Trump’s second term.