Trump Ally Surges in Colombia as Voters Seek Tough New Direction

Colombia’s presidential election has suddenly become a test of whether the political energy surrounding President Donald Trump is spreading deeper into Latin America. In a surprise result, lawyer and businessman Abelardo de la Espriella surged into first place in Colombia’s first round of voting, positioning himself as a strong contender to become the country’s next president. To supporters, his rise signals frustration with crime, political dysfunction, and years of failed peace efforts. To critics, it represents a hard shift to the right. Either way, if de la Espriella wins the presidency, many may view it as another sign of Trump’s growing influence across the Americas.

Who Is Abelardo de la Espriella?

Known by supporters as “El Tigre,” or “The Tiger,” de la Espriella is not a career politician. The 47 year old attorney built his national reputation as a high-profile defense lawyer and businessman, becoming known for representing controversial figures and cultivating a wealthy, celebrity-like public image. Born and educated in Bogotá to a family from Colombia’s Caribbean Montería region, he holds U.S., Colombian, and Italian passports and owns properties in Miami and Florence. Beyond law, he has built businesses tied to wine, rum, and menswear and is known for traveling by private jet and wearing sharply tailored Italian suits.

Despite never holding elected office, de la Espriella has managed to position himself as an outsider candidate capable of shaking up Colombia’s political establishment. His rise appears tied to voter frustration over worsening violence and disappointment with traditional conservative politicians who many voters believe failed to deliver results.

A Candidate Openly Aligned With Trump

Unlike politicians who quietly borrow ideas from Trump, de la Espriella has openly embraced comparisons. Reports describe him as “a supporter of President Donald Trump” and “a fervent supporter” of Trump’s approach to fighting criminal organizations. He has also aligned himself ideologically with leaders such as El Salvador’s tough-on-crime president, Nayib Bukele.

That alignment is visible in both tone and policy. De la Espriella has promised an uncompromising war against armed groups and criminal organizations, even praising aggressive action against “narco-terrorists.” In one striking statement, he declared: “I will wipe out narco-terrorism and those who I’ve declared a military target like cockroaches, like rats. I will unleash upon them the wrath of God never seen before.”

For Trump supporters, the similarities are hard to miss. Like Trump, de la Espriella presents himself as a blunt-speaking outsider promising law, order, strength, and national renewal against a political class many voters increasingly distrust.

Policies?

At the center of de la Espriella’s campaign is security. Colombia continues to struggle with violence years after its historic peace agreement with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, commonly known as FARC. Many Colombians hoped the deal would reduce violence, yet armed groups and criminal organizations remain active, while drone strikes and political violence have shaken the country. Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia

De la Espriella argues that negotiations have failed. Instead, he promises “total confrontation” with criminal organizations. He has pledged to build 10 mega-prisons modeled after Bukele’s hardline approach in El Salvador and seek U.S. support for air strikes against armed groups. He also supports military cooperation with the United States and Israel and has vowed to spray coca plantations with weedkiller to weaken narcotics production.

Economically, he favors shrinking government, lowering taxes, reducing regulations on private corporations, and expanding oil and coal extraction, moving in the opposite direction of outgoing President Gustavo Petro, who pushed left-wing economic policies and sought to phase out fossil fuel production.

How Is the Election Going?

The first round shocked many political observers. De la Espriella won roughly 43.7 to 44 percent of the vote, while his opponent, left-wing senator Iván Cepeda, captured around 40.9 to 41 percent. Because neither candidate crossed the 50 percent threshold required to win outright, the race heads to a runoff election later in June.

What surprised analysts was not simply de la Espriella’s strong showing, but the fact that polls had consistently shown Cepeda leading comfortably. Political scientists described de la Espriella’s finish as “surprising,” suggesting momentum shifted rapidly in the final stretch as conservative voters rallied behind him.

His advantage may grow. Conservative candidate Paloma Valencia finished with less than 7 percent of the vote, and analysts believe many of those voters are likely to move toward de la Espriella in the runoff. Former president Álvaro Uribe Vélez and Valencia have reportedly already backed him, potentially strengthening his coalition. Roughly 3.6 million votes remain politically up for grabs.

“In 21 days we’re going to change the history of Colombia,” de la Espriella declared after advancing to the runoff.

The Opposing Vision: Negotiation Over Force

Standing against him is Cepeda, an ally of Petro and a leading supporter of the government’s “total peace” strategy. Rather than crushing armed groups militarily, Cepeda argues for continued negotiations aimed at dismantling violent organizations and addressing root causes such as poverty, inequality, corruption, and lack of opportunity. His supporters point to policies like minimum wage increases and social investment as evidence that the left’s approach deserves more time.

The divide could hardly be sharper. De la Espriella favors prisons, military pressure, and confrontation. Cepeda favors dialogue, reform, and peace agreements. For many Colombians, this election has become a referendum on whether the country should double down on progressive reforms or pivot toward a more forceful, Trump-style security model.

A Trump Effect in Latin America?

Observers increasingly argue that Latin America is moving away from leaders who promised progressive reforms and toward candidates promising strong enforcement and immediate action against crime. One voter called the election important “for all of Latin America,” saying it may show whether progressive politics continue or “things are going to return to the right.”

If de la Espriella wins, supporters of Trump will likely see it as more than a Colombian story. They may view it as evidence that voters across Latin America increasingly favor candidates who embrace strong borders, tough policing, hardline security, and closer alignment with Trump’s worldview. In that sense, a de la Espriella victory could become a political feather in Trump’s cap, showing that his style and message may be reaching far beyond the United States.