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President Donald Trump promised this Wednesday that Colombia would have "the full support and strength" of the United States if the candidate Abelardo de la Espriella wins the presidential runoff on June 21, in a message posted on his network Truth Social that represents a direct intervention in the Colombian electoral campaign.
"The results of these elections are crucial for the future of Colombia and its relationship with the United States, a country that, if Abelardo wins, thanks to his competence and love for his country, will have the full support and strength of the United States," wrote Trump.
The U.S. president also extended his "total and unconditional support" to De la Espriella, calling him "an intelligent, strong, and tenacious leader," referring to him by his nickname, "El Tigre."
Trump described De la Espriella's rival in the runoff, Senator Iván Cepeda, as "a radical leftist Marxist," referring to the candidate of the Historical Pact and political heir of President Gustavo Petro.
"As president, Abelardo will achieve resounding success in leading Colombia to boost the economy, create jobs, promote trade, stop illegal immigration, combat crime and drugs, and restore public order!" he added.
It is not the first time that Trump has spoken in favor of the Colombian candidate. On June 3rd, he had already expressed his initial support for De la Espriella, just days after he won the first round on May 31st with approximately 44% of the votes, compared to the 41% obtained by Cepeda.
De la Espriella is a criminal lawyer and businessman from Bogotá with no prior experience in public office, who built his candidacy as a hardline right-wing outsider under the movement Defensores de la Patria.
His program includes militarization, mega-prisons, the end of the Total Peace initiative promoted by Petro, a direct fight against drug trafficking, and a pro-market economy with lower taxes.
The former president Álvaro Uribe and the Centro Democrático also announced their support for De la Espriella in the runoff election, on a day when the pro-Trump candidate was leading in the electoral preferences.
Trump's message comes on a day of heightened political tension in Colombia: a commission of the House of Representatives ordered the temporary suspension of Petro as president due to alleged improper involvement in the campaign, a measure whose legal validity has been questioned by several analysts.
The relationship between Washington and Bogotá has entered a phase of tension since January 2025, when Trump imposed tariffs of 25% on Colombian products following Colombia's initial refusal to accept military flights with deportees, a crisis that was resolved in less than 24 hours when Bogotá agreed to the flights.
The runoff between De la Espriella and Cepeda is set for June 21, and Trump concluded his message with a warning that encapsulates his bet: "The Tiger Abelardo de la Espriella will not let down the wonderful people of Colombia. Colombia will reach a new height of greatness!"
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