Colombia's Runoff Could Reshape U.S. Strategy in South America

Colombians voted June 21 in a presidential runoff between far-right Abelardo de la Espriella and leftist Iván Cepeda. De la Espriella's expected victory would likely reverse Colombia's Venezuela policy, shift its drug enforcement approach, and realign its multilateral partnerships—changes that affect hemispheric security broadly. Cepeda represented continuity with outgoing president Gustavo Petro's agenda. Colombia remains Washington's most vital security partner in South America.