“Colombian former presidents congratulate De la Espriella on the victory in the preliminary count”

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Bogotá, Jun 21.- Five former Colombian presidents congratulated far-right candidate Abelardo de la Espriella following preliminary results that show him as the winner of the Presidency for the 2026-2030 term in this Sunday’s elections, according to the preliminary count by the National Registry, the electoral authority.

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“I congratulate President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella and Vice President-elect José Manuel Restrepo. I wish them success in the task of governing a Colombia for all. Now is the time to unite the country, support our institutions, and work together for a more prosperous and peaceful country,” stated former President and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Juan Manuel Santos, who governed between 2010 and 2018.

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His predecessor, Álvaro Uribe (2002-2010) asserted on X that the far-right ticket won despite what he described as “the illegal campaign of Gustavo Petro’s Government, the buying of votes, and the imposition of narcoterrorist groups that forced many communities to vote for Cepeda”.

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You can read: Colombian electoral authority calls for calm after preliminary election results

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“We are sure that Dr. De la Espriella will lead a government of democratic recovery, useful for all Colombians,” added Uribe, leader of the Democratic Center party, who, after losing in the first round, publicly announced his support for the far-right candidate.

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With 99.91% of the polling stations reported, De la Espriella, from the Defensores de la Patria movement, has 12,950,642 votes (49.65%), compared to the 12,702,592 votes (48.70%) obtained by Cepeda, from the Pacto Histórico, a difference of 248,050 votes, a result that will have to be confirmed in the final count.

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For his part, Andrés Pastrana (1998-2002) stated on X that with De la Espriella’s victory “Colombia resumes the path of institutionality and democracy is strengthened”.

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The messages were joined by former Liberal president César Gaviria (1990-1994), who congratulated De la Espriella on his election and asserted that “Colombians have spoken and that result must be respected, without conditions.”

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“I wish you success in the task ahead. Governing Colombia requires greatness and the conviction that a president is for all Colombians, not just those who elected him,” Gaviria expressed in a statement from his party.

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The former president added that he trusts that the next Government will defend the 1991 Constitution, fulfill its obligations, and materialize the promises made during the campaign.

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Iván Duque (2018-2022) also congratulated De la Espriella and his vice-presidential running mate, José Manuel Restrepo, who was his Minister of Commerce and Finance.

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“Colombia has elected a new president. I congratulate Abelardo de la Espriella, the new ruler of Colombia, and José Manuel Restrepo, the new vice president of our homeland, on their victory,” wrote Duque on X.

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The former president added that the elections were “free and transparent” and congratulated the National Registry, which organizes the elections, for the work it did during this electoral process.

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