US warns against doubt on Colombia’s election result
The United States and a group of Latin American countries say they are deeply concerned by statements and actions that cast doubt on the outcome of Colombia’s election.
“We observe with deep concern the recent statements and actions, without duly proven justifications, that cast doubt on the integrity of the electoral process in the Republic of Colombia,” the joint statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. The statement was included. He did not mention any specific actions or comments.
It was signed by the United States, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guyana, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay and Trinidad and Tobago.
Colombian right-wing candidate Abelardo De La Espriella scored a decisive victory in last month’s presidential election. US President Donald Trump supported him.
Friday’s joint statement came from countries in the so-called “Shield of the Americas”, a Trump-formed military alliance of right-wing leaders vowing to combat drug trafficking.
Trump had openly quarreled with Gustavo Petro, a former rebel and Colombia’s first left-wing president. Colombian leftist senator Ivan Cepeda accepted the country’s presidential race late last month.
Cepeda criticized what he described as Trump’s foreign interference in the race, said voters were manipulated with content prepared by artificial intelligence, and accused De La Espriella of a vote-buying operation without providing evidence.
De La Espriella, who has promised a crackdown on crime and economic revival, also accused Cepeda of buying votes without providing evidence.
Trump claimed that he won the 2020 US elections and lost to former President Joe Biden, before returning to the White House last year after winning the 2024 elections. His supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol in a failed attempt to prevent Congress from certifying the results of the 2020 election.
Trump has taken action to increase the US presence and influence in Latin America. He ordered the capture of ousted Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro in a deadly raid, and the U.S. military launched several attacks on boats in the Caribbean that left dozens dead.
Human rights activists say such actions are illegal, imperial and amount to extrajudicial killings. Trump sees these as initiatives to combat drug trafficking and illegal immigration.
