Rightward Realignment: Colombia Elects Pro-US Lawyer Over Leftist Incumbent

Colombian nationalist lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella won Sunday's presidential runoff against leftist Senator Iván Cepeda in a narrow margin. The victory signals a sharp reversal of Gustavo Petro's four-year leftward tilt. De la Espriella's alignment with Washington on trade, drug policy, and Venezuela strategy marks a recalibration of Colombia's role as America's chief South American security partner. He takes office in August, facing a fragmented congress that will constrain any rapid legislative pivot away from Petro's labor and pension reforms.