BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) 鈥� Colombian lawyer and presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella, who secured the most votes in the first round of , on Wednesday thanked U.S. President Donald Trump for endorsing his campaign, in an election that serves as a litmus test as the
Trump said on social platform X that he predicts stronger bilateral ties if the conservative defeats progressive Iv谩n Cepeda in the presidential runoff.
Writing on the Truth Social platform the previous day, Trump offered his 鈥渃omplete and total endorsement鈥� for de la Espriella, calling him an 鈥渋ntelligent, strong and tough leader鈥� who will take on a 鈥渞adical leftist Marxist鈥� in the June 21 runoff election.
鈥淲ith my head held high and a heart full of patriotic gratitude, I receive your words and your steadfast support,” de la Espriella, known as 鈥淓l Tigre鈥� or 鈥淭he Tiger,鈥� wrote on X. “Thank you, Mr. President!鈥�
This is not the first time Trump has backed candidates in foreign elections, a practice that has drawn criticism from opponents who say the U.S. should not meddle in other countries鈥� domestic politics. Last year, Trump , who went on to win. He also in Argentina during legislative elections that proved critical to the leader鈥檚 political agenda.
Trump鈥檚 support in the Colombian presidential campaign underscores the current tension between Washington and Bogota as relations between the countries have grown strained under . Sharp disagreements have emerged over migration, Israel鈥檚 military actions in Gaza and anti-narcotics strategies, particularly regarding the .
Petro rejected Trump鈥檚 support for the conservative candidate and urged citizens to vote freely so as to 鈥渘ot become anyone鈥檚 slaves or colony.鈥�
鈥淲hen a country intervenes in the decisions of another country, freedom dies,鈥� Petro wrote on X.
While the U.S. remains Colombia鈥檚 largest export market and was long considered Washington鈥檚 primary ally in the hemisphere, relations have cooled significantly under the current administration.
De la Espriella, who holds dual Colombian and U.S. citizenship, is a Trump supporter and a member of the Republican Party. With no prior experience in elected office, he secured 43.74% of the vote in the first round of the presidential election, followed by Sen. Cepeda 鈥� an ally of Petro 鈥� with 40.90%, according to preliminary counts.
The candidate has said his views align with U.S. policies, particularly regarding the fight against narcotics. He has promised to eradicate thousands of hectares of coca leaf crops 鈥� the raw material for cocaine 鈥� and to halt the trafficking bound for the United States.
___
Follow AP鈥檚 coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at
Copyright © 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
