Trump endorses ‘El Tigre’ in Colombia presidential runoff election
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As Colombia heads into a crucial presidential runoff on Sunday, conservative outsider Abelardo de la Espriella is leaving voters disillusioned with crime, cartels and economic uncertainty.
His rise comes as outgoing President Gustavo Petro faces growing political turmoil and the election has turned into a risky battle over the future of one of America’s most important allies in Latin America.
De le Espriella’s campaign is built on a platform of law and order, anti-cartel crackdowns and repairing U.S.-Colombian relations as he faces leftist politician Iván Cepeda in a presidential runoff. Cepeda is from Peter’s socialist party.
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Presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella of Colombia’s Defensores de la Patria party speaks from behind bulletproof glass during his closing campaign rally in Medellin, Colombia, on May 24, 2026. Presidential elections will be held in Colombia on May 31. (Jaime Saldarriaga/AFP via Getty Images)
In a region increasingly defined by prominent political figures, de la Espriella is universally known as “El Tigre” and has turned his nickname into a political movement. Campaign rallies feature images of tigers, products and slogans built around strength and fearlessness.
He has openly embraced comparisons to President Trump, presenting himself as a political outsider willing to confront established elites, challenge progressive orthodoxies, and restore what his supporters describe as power and order to the government.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro delivers a speech during a troop recognition ceremony at the Jose Maria Cordova Military Academy in Bogota, March 11, 2025. (Raul Arboleda/AFP via Getty Images)
Earlier this week, Trump supported him on social media, stating in part: “Colombian Presidential Candidate “El Tigre (THE REMEMBER),” Abelardo de la Espriella is a Smart, Strong, and Tough Leader who fights tirelessly for and loves his Great Country and his People, just like I do for the United States of America.”
Trump added: “It is my honor to give Abelardo my Complete and Complete Endorsement for his tremendous achievements in life and the political support he has given me. GO OUT AND VOTE FOR “EL TIGRE” ABELARDO DE LA ESPRIELLA — HE WILL NOT LET THE GREAT PEOPLE OF COLOMBIA GO DOWN. He will rise to a new height of greatness!”
President Donald Trump (left) waves as he greets El Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele as Bukele arrives at the White House on Monday, April 14, 2025 in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
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In addition to the Trump comparison, he was also compared to El Salvador’s President Bukele. Like Bukele, he has built a political brand around toughness, turmoil and public frustration with crime. Campaign rhetoric often emphasizes the restoration of state authority and the defeat of criminal organizations through the use of overwhelming force.
Petro’s ally Iván Cepeda has vowed to pursue the administration’s social and economic agenda while expanding negotiations with armed groups.
Cepeda’s campaign did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment about his campaign and his hopes for the country.
Presidential candidate Ivan Cepeda from Colombia’s Pacto Historico party speaks to supporters during his final campaign rally in Barranquilla, in the Atlantico region of Colombia, on May 24, 2026. (Vanessa Romero/AFP via Getty Images)
Carlos Chacón, executive director of the Instituto de Ciencia Política (ICP), a think tank in Colombia, told Fox News Digital: “Colombia is torn between two models and two visions: a left-wing model that aims to increase state intervention in the economy, a model that has already been proven to lead to fiscal deficits and economic crises; a model that prioritizes negotiations and appeasement over security, leading to the strengthening of criminal networks across the country; and, above all, whose political agenda is to eliminate terrorism change the Constitution.”
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Chacón stated that the difference between the two candidates was clear, saying that Abelardo’s model “supports free enterprise and aims to ensure security, regain territorial control, shrink the state, revitalize strategic sectors and improve international relations, and will be implemented entirely within the framework of the 1991 Constitution.” “Abelardo never talked about replacing the constitutional model with an authoritarian one, as in the Cepeda project proposed by Petro.”
Colombian presidential candidate Abelardo De La Espriella from the Defenders of the Homeland political movement reacts after the first round results of the presidential elections held in Barranquilla, Colombia, on May 31, 2026. (Sergio Acero/Reuters)
A recurring theme in de la Espriella’s campaign was restoring close relations with Washington and pursuing a more aggressive security partnership against drug trafficking and armed groups. He advocated US-backed operations against narco-terrorist camps and stronger bilateral cooperation on security issues.
De la Espriella’s rise comes as outgoing Colombian President Petro faces a challenge over allegations of improper involvement in the country’s presidential election. The head of Colombia’s congressional investigative commission has recommended President Petro be impeached as authorities examine allegations that he improperly intervened in the presidential campaign on behalf of his political movement.
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A supporter of Colombia’s Defensores de la Patria party presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella takes a selfie while awaiting his arrival at his final campaign rally on May 23, 2026 in Barranquilla, Colombia. Presidential elections will be held in Colombia on May 31. (Vanessa Romero/AFP via Getty Images)
The proposal sparked fierce debate throughout Colombia; While supporters describe this as necessary accountability, critics argue it exceeds constitutional authority. Peter denied the mistake and continued his duty.
The outcome of this election will help determine not only the future of Colombia’s security strategy but also the course of one of Washington’s most important allies in the Western Hemisphere.
