Washington’s backing of a far-right politician threatens Colombian democracy ahead of June 21 election.
On Wednesday, Ivan Cepeda, the candidate of the Historic Pact party, criticized the support that U.S. President Donald Trump gave to far-right politician Abelardo de la Espriella ahead of the June 21 presidential runoff.
“The open support, with interventionist overtones, that President Donald Trump is giving to Abelardo de la Espriella’s candidacy… is a serious risk to the sovereignty and integrity of the Colombian people and nation,” Cepeda told reporters in Bogota.
Earlier, on Tuesday night, Trump publicly expressed his enthusiastic support for De la Espriella, a populist politician whose public record shows ties to figures linked to Colombian drug trafficking and paramilitarism.
“Congratulations to Colombian Presidential Candidate, ‘El Tigre (THE TIGER),’ Abelardo de la Espriella, a Smart, Strong, and Tough Leader, on his decisive Victory in the first round of the Colombian Presidential Election! Abelardo fights tirelessly for, and loves, his Great Country and People, just like I do for the United States of America,” the Republican leader stated.
“As President, Abelardo would be tremendously successful in leading Colombia to Grow the Economy, Create Jobs, Promote Trade, Stop Illegal Immigration, Crack Down on Crime and Drugs, and Restore LAW AND ORDER! Abelardo will face off against a Radical Left Marxist in the Runoff on June 21st — The results of this Election are very important to the future of Colombia and its relationship to the United States.”
“Because of his tremendous accomplishments in life, and his political support for me, personally, it is my Honor to give Abelardo my Complete and Total Endorsement. ‘EL TIGRE’ ABELARDO DE LA ESPRIELLA WILL NOT LET THE WONDERFUL PEOPLE OF COLOMBIA DOWN!” Trump stressed.
During his second term, as part of his strategy of geopolitical control in Latin America, Trump has openly supported far-right politicians such as Javier Milei (Argentina), Nasry Afura (Honduras), and Daniel Noboa (Ecuador). His expressions of support have been regarded as decisive last-minute factors in electoral outcomes.
In response to this new act of imperialist interference, leftist candidate Cepeda said he is working for “respect for and the sovereignty of the Colombian people in their June 21 decision” and stated that his opponent “represents a serious risk to democracy.”
“Any president on the planet and in our hemisphere may have preferences for one political option or another being debated in Colombia. However, what cannot happen is for unpatriotic actions to be carried out by Mr. De la Espriella in order to seek the intervention of foreign presidents and governments to determine our electoral contest,” Cepeda pointed out.
The first round of Colombia’s presidential election took place on May 31, when De la Espriella received 43.74% of the vote and Cepeda received 40.90%. These figures, however, have been questioned because of the possibility of electoral fraud.
teleSUR/ JF
Sources: EFE – Truth Social
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