On Thursday, June 25, the National Electoral Council (CNE) presented Abelardo de la Espriella with the official certificate accrediting him as the president-elect of Colombia, following his victory in the June 21 elections.
The right-wing lawyer won by a narrow margin — less than 1% — and received the document from the highest electoral authority alongside his running mate, José Manuel Restrepo.
CNE President Cristian Quiroz stated: “This is one of the most significant acts mandated by our Constitution. These credentials are not merely a matter of protocol, but the living expression of the people’s will.”
Voting in Tampa
Of the 11,000 registered Colombian voters in the Tampa Bay area, 5,745 cast their ballots and chose candidate Abelardo de la Espriella.
The Colombian Consulate General, based in Orlando, selected the Scottish Rite Masonic Center — located at 5500 Memorial Highway in Tampa — as the site for the 16 polling stations.
At 8 a.m. Sunday, June 21, more than 800 Colombians were already waiting in line; they sang their country’s national anthem in unison to officially open the presidential election.
Voters shared their thoughts with CENTRO Tampa regarding the country’s polarization between a left-wing and a right-wing candidate.
“I believe that is why we are here: to decide on a better Colombia and ensure that the vote counts for everyone in the country, to bring out the best in our nation, and — from abroad — to do our part,” said Colombian national Cristina Novoa.
The right-wing candidate won here; across the 16 polling stations, Abelardo de la Espriella secured 4,976 votes, while Iván Cepeda — representing the left-wing “Pacto Histórico” (Historic Pact) party — received 729 votes; there were 40 blank ballots.
“We aren’t looking for left or right, but rather the best option — what is best for our country and its people,” said voter Sandra Buitrago. “But if the left comes to power again ... well, I think we already had a four-year administration that wasn’t good at all. That’s why we need to be aware and seek the best path forward.”
A historic triumph
Abelardo de la Espriella won the election in Colombia by a narrow margin, but with a historic total of nearly 13 million votes.
With 99.9% of the preliminary vote count complete, the right-wing lawyer had garnered 49.7% support, compared to nearly 48.7% for the leftist Iván Cepeda, who did not concede defeat until after the official vote tally.
“Hopefully the situation is settled today, because there is a lot of pressure and a lot of resentment among the people. So, hopefully this gets resolved and concluded today, and everyone can get to work in earnest,” said Francisco López as he walked toward his polling station.
De la Espriella’s victory marks a shift to the right for Colombia following the country’s first-ever left-wing administration. However, this does not represent the traditional right-wing politics that governed prior to Gustavo Petro’s 2022 victory; instead, it signifies a new, more radical, and less institutional brand of right-wing politics — aligned with figures such as Donald Trump in the U.S., Nayib Bukele in El Salvador, and Javier Milei in Argentina.
“To the drug traffickers, terrorists, kidnappers, extortionists, and corrupt individuals who steal the people’s resources: I serve notice that Colombia once again has a government,” declared De la Espriella in Barranquilla, where he celebrated behind a security screen.
“All those bandits will be relentlessly pursued within the framework of the laws of the Republic,” added “El Tigre” (The Tiger) — as he calls himself — highlighting perhaps the most important theme of his campaign: security.
“I will be a president who understands that there is no freedom without security, no democracy without authority, and no nation without heroes — like our police officers and soldiers — willing to defend the Republic.”
The figures
The 47-year-old lawyer and businessman celebrated a historic tally of nearly 13 million votes in the presidential election; he won by a margin of just 250,000 votes (slightly less than 1%), revealing a structural polarization.
The 62% voter turnout was the highest in history, and the election results produced a political map similar to those seen in elections over the past decade.
“Polarization will continue, and I believe this will be a polarized vote, as the country is completely divided. That is why I say I hope the situation is resolved today; settling everything would be very good for the country’s peace of mind”, noted Colombian national Francisco López.