BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Colombian lawyer and presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella, who secured the most votes in the first round of Colombia’s elections, on Wednesday thanked U.S. President Donald Trump for endorsing his campaign, in an election that serves as a litmus test as the region shifts towards the right.

Trump said on social platform X that he predicts stronger bilateral ties if the conservative defeats progressive Iván Cepeda in the presidential runoff.