Trump-backed political outsider wins Colombia election, initial count shows

Right-wing candidate Abelardo de la Espriella has narrowly won Colombia's presidential election, an initial vote count shows, marking a dramatic shift in how the government will tackle the country's internal armed conflict and violence. De la Espriella, who was endorsed by Donald Trump, has pledged a military crackdown on illegal armed groups, drug trafficking and crime. He appeared to defeat left-wing Iván Cepeda, a close ally of the president, Gustavo Petro. De la Espriella said "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, prosperous Colombia full of opportunities". With over 99% of votes counted, de la Espriella had won nearly 49.7% of the vote, while Cepeda won 48.7%, according to an initial count of the runoff election. Cepeda has not conceded, saying the preliminary count was "not yet official or binding". "Once the official canvass takes place and its final result is produced, and the corresponding verifications have been carried out, we will recognize the official result that emerges from that structure." The verification process showed little difference to initial counting in the first round of voting on 31 May, Reuters news agency reported. De la Espriella, who was raised in the Caribbean coastal region, enjoyed significant regional support there. …