BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Bombastic pro-Trump lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella pulled ahead in Colombia's race for the presidency in the first round of elections over the weekend, capitalizing on a growing appetite for heavy-handed crackdowns on criminal groups across Latin America.
READ MORE: Polls close in Colombia vote with Espriella and Cepeda advancing to runoff
The outcome dealt a political blow to second-place finisher, progressive Sen. Iván Cepeda, and his ally, President Gustavo Petro. Both questioned the results of the election Sunday night, without providing evidence.
De la Espriella rapidly gained traction in the lead-up to Sunday's election, winning nearly 44% of the vote, and surpassing Cepeda, who had consistently led polling throughout the campaign and won less than 41% of the vote.
The two are slated to continue to a runoff election on June 21, where de la Espriella is expected to scoop up additional votes from Colombians who supported other conservative candidates in the first round.
