Trump admirer’s surprise first-round win is a blow to Colombia’s traditional conservatives
Far-right lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella secured a surprise first-round victory in Colombia's presidential election, signaling a shift away from traditional conservative politics. He will face left-wing senator Iván Cepeda in a runoff election in three weeks.
Why it matters
The rise of a Trump-aligned candidate in a major South American nation suggests a significant shift in regional political dynamics and voter sentiment.
Supporters of Abelardo de la Espriella celebrate in Barranquilla, northern Colombia, on Sunday. The far-right lawyer has won the first round of the country’s presidential elections. Photograph: Ernesto Guzmán Jr/EPA View image in fullscreen Supporters of Abelardo de la Espriella celebrate in Barranquilla, northern Colombia, on Sunday. The far-right lawyer has won the first round of the country’s presidential elections. Photograph: Ernesto Guzmán Jr/EPA Colombia Analysis Trump admirer’s surprise first-round win is a blow to Colombia’s traditional conservatives Tiago Rogero South America correspondent Success of far-right presidential candidate, Abelardo de la Espriella, suggests some voters are ‘fed up with politics’
The framing of the candidate as a 'Trump admirer' and the focus on the 'collapse' of traditional forces reflects a standard liberal-leaning analytical perspective on right-wing populism.
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