Trump endorses Colombian presidential candidate de la Espriella

U.S. President Donald Trump ​on Tuesday endorsed Colombian presidential ‌candidate Abelardo ​de la Espriella, a right-wing lawyer, who will face off against leftist senator Ivan Cepeda in a runoff ‌election this month. "The results of this Election are very important to the future of Colombia and its relationship to the United States," Trump said in a post ‌on social media.

U.S. President Donald Trump ​on Tuesday endorsed Colombian presidential ‌candidate Abelardo ​de la Espriella, a right-wing lawyer, who will face off against leftist senator Ivan Cepeda in a runoff ‌election this month.

"The results of this Election are very important to the future of Colombia and its relationship to the United States," Trump said in a post ‌on social media. De la Espriella and Cepeda will head to a June ‌presidential runoff after a tight first-round vote. De la Espriella, who has never held elected office, garnered nearly 44% of the votes, while Cepeda, a long-time senator and activist, garnered under 41%.

De ⁠la Espriella's ​personal style and ⁠policy proposals - including tough rhetoric against illegal armed groups and the promise to build 10 megaprisons - ⁠have drawn comparisons to El Salvador's Nayib Bukele. "The United States plays a crucial role ​in combating crime and narco-terrorism and in finally freeing Colombia from so much pain ⁠and violence," De la Espriella said in a video interview shared on social media, adding ⁠that ​he and Trump "share values and principles in defense of democracy, in defense of freedom and in defense of the rule of law."

Leftist Colombian President Gustavo ⁠Petro, who has had a tumultuous relationship with the American leader, criticized Trump's endorsement of ⁠right-wing de ⁠la Espriella in a post on social media on Tuesday night. "When one country interferes in another country’s decisions, freedom dies," Petro ‌said.