After Abelardo “El Tigre” de la Espriella secured a narrow win in Colombia’s 2026 presidential election, Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) congratulated the president-elect, expressing hopes for a stronger relationship between the U.S. and the Latin American country.
“CONGRATULATIONS to Abelardo de la Espriella as the preliminary results point toward victory, and to the brave people of Colombia for turning out in large numbers and peacefully making their voices heard,” Sen. Scott wrote on X. "Long live Colombia!"
Preliminary Results
According to Colombia’s National Civil Registry’s preliminary count of the presidential runoff election, Espriella took the lead with 49.7% of the votes over lawmaker Iván Cepeda. Cepeda, an ally of outgoing President Gustavo Petro, had 48.7%.
The “quick count” released by electoral authorities contained 99.9% of the votes.
According to Colombia One, despite the figures shown at the close of voting indicating a clear win and both candidates accepting the results, the electoral process has yet to conclude from a legal standpoint.
Historically, though, the nation’s quick counts have closely aligned with final certified results.
Candidates' Responses To Results
"Today begins a new stage for our country, a stage built on the free and democratic will of millions of citizens who chose to believe in a great, safe, and prosperous Colombia full of opportunities,” De La Espriella wrote following the preliminary results.
Cepeda, on the other hand, affirmed that although he acknowledges the preliminary results, his campaign will not concede, considering the results “unofficial and non-binding.”
Cepeda also announced that his team will challenge results from 33,000 ballot boxes.
De La Espriella's Efforts
President Donald Trump also praised De La Espriella’s preliminary victory on Truth Social, writing, “He Won, BIG.”
De la Espriella, a millionaire entrepreneur and criminal defense attorney, gained President Trump’s endorsement during his campaign, despite never having run for office.
On his first day in office, “El Tigre” promised an extensive military offensive against guerrillas, stating in a recent television interview that he would "bomb all of the camps holding narco-terrorists."
He has also asserted intensified attacks on drug-smuggling aircraft and boats, and the construction of ten "mega prisons." De la Espriella has pledged to open up the countryside to fracking and reverse Petro's moratorium on new hydrocarbon and mining contracts.
