Trump Anticipates Stronger Ties with Colombia After Narrow Election Victory

Wed Jun 24 2026 02:47:18 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

US president Donald Trump forecasts improved relations with Colombia following Abelardo de la Espriella’s slim win in the run‑off election.

Donald Trump has publicly welcomed the narrow victory of Abelardo de la Espriella over left‑wing opponent Iván Cepeda in Colombia’s presidential runoff. Trump praised Espriella in a Truth Social post and said the U.S. would work “to build a powerful relationship.” The new president vowed tough action against drug gangs while promising to act within the law, raising hopes among some that drug‑trafficking ties between the U.S. and Colombia will be intensified. Meanwhile, concerns linger about potential human rights abuses under Espriella’s hardline policies. The election marks a possible shift in U.S.-Colombia diplomacy after years of sharp criticism between former U.S. president and outgoing Colombian president Gustavo Petro.

Trump Anticipates Stronger Ties with Colombia After Narrow Election Victory

US President Donald Trump has publicly welcomed the narrow victory of Abelardo de la Espriella over left‑wing opponent Iván Cepeda in Colombia’s presidential runoff.

Abelardo de la Espriella greets supporters

Trump praised Espriella in a Truth Social post and said the U.S. would work “to build a powerful relationship.”

The new president vowed tough action against drug gangs while promising to act within the law, raising hopes among some that drug‑trafficking ties between the U.S. and Colombia will be intensified.

Meanwhile, concerns linger about potential human rights abuses under Espriella’s hardline policies, especially after the controversial “false positives” scandal during the long‑running armed conflict.

This election marks a possible shift in U.S.-Colombia diplomacy after years of sharp criticism between former U.S. president and outgoing Colombian president Gustavo Petro.

Source: BBC News, 23 June 2026, 11:27 BST