The president publicly expressed his support for the right-wing candidate after a phone conversation and emphasized the need to advance in more economic freedom, security, and regional cooperation against drug trafficking
On June 21, Colombiafaces a historic crossroads that will define its destiny for the 2026-2030 period. In this runoff, citizens will have to choose between two irreconcilable models: the path of prosperity and order proposed by Abelardo de la Espriella, a leader of the right and head of the Defensores de la Patria party, or the continuation of the impoverishing communism embodied by Iván Cepeda, the ally of Gustavo Petro and candidate of the Pacto Histórico.
The focus of this contest has transcended national borders thanks to the strong support from Javier Milei. The Argentine president, a beacon of freedom in the region, used his social media to send a message of total support to De la Espriella, confirming an absolute alignment between the two leaders after a phone conversation.
The president, Javier Milei on X:
“All my support to Abelardo De La Espriella for the runoff on June 21...!!!”, expressed the Argentine leader, emphasizing that “the path is clear, more economic freedom, more security, more trade, and zero tolerance for transnational organized crime and drug trafficking”. For Milei, this election will determine whether the country embraces growth or persists in decline, concluding his support with his characteristic: “LONG LIVE FREEDOM DAMN IT...!!!”.
In electoral terms, the numbers confirm the advance of the forces of order. According to the latest polls, De la Espriella leads the voting intention with 52%, placing eight points ahead of Cepeda, who barely registers 44%.
This favoritism was solidified after a first round where the freedom candidate obtained 43.74% of the votes, totaling 10,361,499 votes, compared to 40.90% (9,688,361 votes) for his official opponent. After learning these results, Abelardo sent a message of hope to his supporters: “We will defeat tyranny and absolutism! We made it to the second round thanks to the more than 10 million Colombians who responded to the roar. In 21 days we will make history!”.
Abelardo De la Espriella
The proposal of De la Espriella, who has economist José Manuel Restrepo as his vice-presidential candidate, focuses on a deep surgery of the state apparatus. His program aims for a reduction of the fiscal deficit, which currently stands at a concerning 6.4%, as well as a reduction in the size of the State and a tax simplification. Inspired by the administrations of Donald Trump, Nayib Bukele, and Javier Milei himself, the candidate proposes a model of strict public order, which includes the construction of ten large-scale penitentiaries and direct combat against drug trafficking, opposing the failed “Total Peace” policy of the current government.
In contrast, Iván Cepeda, academically trained in Bulgaria and France, aims to deepen the state reforms that have plunged the country into uncertainty, promoting a progressive tax reform and greater state intervention in the economy. While the government proposes to limit development with a ban on fracking, De la Espriella bets on expanding hydrocarbon exploration and strengthening the capabilities of the military forces to ensure the safety of Colombians.
With a historic participation rate of 57.8% recorded in the first stage, the country is heading towards August 7, the date when the new president will take office. The alliance between De la Espriella and the international support from figures like Javier Milei and Giorgia Meloni positions Colombia before the unique opportunity to break the chains of socialism and finally embrace the ideas of freedom.
