On Tuesday night, President Trump endorsed Abelardo De La Espriella, a right-wing candidate in Colombia’s presidential election. This move continues a pattern of influencing foreign elections during his second term.
Mr. Trump used Truth Social to congratulate De La Espriella, who progressed to a second round in June. De La Espriella will compete against a candidate from President Gustavo Petro’s left-wing party.
In his post, Trump emphasized the election’s significance for U.S.-Colombia relations. He praised De La Espriella, calling him “El Tigre,” and lauded his life achievements and political support. Trump stated, “It is my Honor to give Abelardo my Complete and Total Endorsement.”
Trump’s endorsement aligns with his history of supporting similar leaders, fueling a right-wing trend in Latin America. He labeled De La Espriella’s opponent, Iván Cepeda, as a “Radical Left Marxist.” Cepeda’s campaign did not respond immediately.
On Tuesday night, De La Espriella expressed gratitude for Trump’s backing, vowing to bolster U.S.-Colombia ties. He stressed the U.S.’s role in combating crime and narcoterrorism to reduce Colombia’s violence.
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