Why is Israel being accused of meddling in Colombia presidential election?

Colombia’s outgoing leftist president, Gustavo Petro, has alleged electoral fraud after preliminary results from a presidential run-off saw his handpicked candidate lose by a small margin. In a barrage of posts on the social media site X on Monday, Petro alleged that the opposition bought votes and Israel and the United States interfered to help opposition far-right candidate Abelardo de la Espriella win. Recommended Stories list of 4 items end of list Petro has refused to recognise the results and has called for an investigation by the judiciary. The president, who was barred by the constitution from running for a second term, was Colombia’s first leftist president, putting him at odds with the US. His administration is praised for reforms that boosted social spending, raised the minimum wage and redistributed land to poorer families. Petro also cut ties with Israel over Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza and distanced himself from US President Donald Trump’s administration. However, critics said his refusal to accept the election results risks inflaming political tensions – and violence. Here’s what we know: Presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella of the opposition Defenders of the Motherland movement and his vice presidential running mate, Jose Manuel Restrepo, ride inside a bulletproof enclosure towards a victory rally in Barranquilla on June 21, 2026 [Rodrigo Abd/AP] What are the election results? The first round of the presidential election was held on May 31. …