21/06/2026 22:09 - Internacionales
Un león y un tigre rugiendo juntos sobre un mapa de América del Sur, con las banderas de Argentina y Colombia destacadas, simbolizando la alianza política entre Javier Milei y Abelardo De la Espriella
Argentine President Javier Milei publicly congratulated Abelardo De la Espriella following his victory in Colombia's presidential elections, celebrating the win with a phrase that has gone viral on social media: "The lion and the tiger roar in Latin America".
According to official data with 99.84% of polling stations counted, De la Espriella obtained 12,941,992 votes (49.71%), surpassing his rival Iván Cepeda by a margin of only 247,000 votes, who received 12,694,863 votes (48.64%).
| Candidate | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Abelardo De la Espriella | 12,941,992 | 49.71% |
| Iván Cepeda | 12,694,863 | 48.64% |
| Blank/null votes | ~400,000 | ~1.65% |
The second-round election on June 21, 2026 was marked by intense polarization. In the first round held on May 31, 2026, De la Espriella had obtained 43.74% of the votes compared to Cepeda's 40.90%.
However, the result was not without controversy. Iván Cepeda announced the challenge of approximately 31,000 voting tables, while outgoing President Gustavo Petro denounced that opposition lawyers were prevented from entering the Corferias vote-counting center.
Additionally, U.S. Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar warned about possible international sanctions for electoral irregularities, adding tension to the government transition.
Argentine President Javier Milei had previously intervened in the electoral campaign, prompting a protest note from the Colombian Foreign Ministry describing his involvement as "improper".
Milei framed the election as a dispute between "economic freedom and communism", in line with the support De la Espriella also received from Donald Trump.
A notable fact is that De la Espriella won abroad, especially in communities in the United States, Canada, and Venezuela, reflecting the Colombian diaspora's connection with the right-wing candidate's proposals.
Who is Javier Milei? Elected in 2023, Milei is an Argentine economist and politician known for his libertarian views, dramatic communication style, and references to lions as symbols of strength. His "lion" metaphor has become his political trademark.
Colombian Presidential Elections: Colombia uses a two-round system. If no candidate achieves 50% in the first round, the top two compete in a runoff. The 2026 election was particularly polarized between right-wing and left-wing candidates.
Gustavo Petro: The outgoing Colombian president (2022-2026), the first left-wing president in Colombia's history, whose term was marked by attempts at social reforms and political polarization.
De la Espriella's victory consolidates an alliance of right-wing governments in South America, alongside Argentina and other regional countries. This could translate into greater cooperation in security, trade, and immigration policies between both nations.
Source: Electoral data referenced from official Colombian electoral authorities and international news coverage.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
