Presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella of the opposition Defenders of the Motherland movement speaks to supporters from inside a bulletproof booth at a celebration rally after runoff election results showed him leading in Barranquilla, Colombia, Sunday, June 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Political outsider Abelardo de la Espriella maintained a narrow lead as Colombia’s presidential runoff election count neared completion Sunday, following a campaign dominated by security concerns, political polarization and fears of renewed internal conflict.
De la Espriella, a lawyer and political newcomer who campaigned on a tough-on-crime platform and received the endorsement of U.S. President Donald Trump, faced progressive Sen. Iván Cepeda, an ally of outgoing President Gustavo Petro.
Election officials have not formally announced a winner.
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A supporter of presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella of the opposition Defenders of the Motherland movement light a flare at a celebration rally after polls closed in the runoff election in Barranquilla, Colombia, Sunday, June 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)Presidential candidate Ivan Cepeda of the ruling Historic Pact coalition embraces his vice-presidential running mate, Aida Quilcue, during an election night appearance after election results showed him trailing in Bogota, Colombia, Sunday, June 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)Presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella of the opposition Defenders of the Motherland movement and his vice-presidential running mate, Jose Manuel Restrepo, ride in a bulletproof booth toward a celebration rally after election results showed him leading in Barranquilla, Colombia, Sunday, June 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)A supporter of presidential candidate Ivan Cepeda of the ruling Historic Pact coalition sits at his campaign headquarters after election results showed him trailing in the runoff election in Cali, Colombia, Sunday, June 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Santiago Saldarriaga)Supporters of presidential candidate Ivan Cepeda of the ruling Historic Pact coalition react to early election results after polls closed duuring the runoff election in Bogota, Colombia, Sunday, June 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)A voter wearing a “Make Colombia Great Again” cap waits in line during the runoff election in Barranquilla, Colombia, Sunday, June 21, 2026.(AP Photo/Ivan Valencia)A voter marks his ballot during the runoff presidential election in Santander de Quilichao, Colombia, Sunday, June 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Santiago Saldarriaga)Presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella of the opposition Defenders of the Motherland movement and his wife Ana Lucia Pineda gesture after voting during the runoff election in Barranquilla, Colombia, Sunday, June 21, 2026. ( (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)Voters line up during the runoff presidential election in Barranquilla, Colombia, Sunday, June 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Ivan Valencia)People sit waiting for their turn to vote at a school serving as a polling station during the runoff election in Barranquilla, Colombia, Sunday, June 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Ivan Valencia)Presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella of the opposition Defenders of the Motherland movement rides in a bulletproof booth toward a celebration rally after election results showed him leading in Barranquilla, Colombia, Sunday, June 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)Voters check electoral lists during the runoff presidential election in Jamundi, Colombia, Sunday, June 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Santiago Saldarriaga)Supporters of presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella of the opposition Defenders of the Motherland after runoff election results showed him leading in Barranquilla, Colombia, Sunday, June 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)An electoral official calls the next voter in line during the presidential runoff election in Barranquilla, Colombia, Sunday, June 21, 2026.(AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)Supporters of presidential candidate Ivan Cepeda of the ruling Historic Pact coalition burn a U.S. flag after election results showed him trailing in the runoff election in Cali, Colombia, Sunday, June 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Santiago Saldarriaga)A voter waits in line with her dog, which is wearing a Colombia soccer team jersey and has its face painted as a tiger, at a polling station during the runoff election in Barranquilla, Colombia, Sunday, June 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Ivan Valencia)A voter wearing a national soccer team jersey waits for his turn to cast his ballot during the runoff election in Barranquilla, Colombia, Sunday, June 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Ivan Valencia)A supporter of presidential candidate Ivan Cepeda of the ruling Historic Pact coalition points a laser at police during a protest after election results showed him trailing in the runoff election in Cali, Colombia, Sunday, June 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Santiago Saldarriaga)Presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella of the opposition Defenders of the Motherland movement addresses supporters at a rally after runoff election results showed him leading in Barranquilla, Colombia, Sunday, June 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)
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