Colombians voted in a presidential runoff election on Sunday, and according to preliminary results, a White House-backed conservative has a razor-thin lead.
With 99.96% of votes counted, hard-right Abelardo de la Espriella had won 49.66%, according to data from the national registry office.
Leftist rival Ivan Cepeda had 48.70% of votes going his way, less than a percentage point separating them. He has not conceded defeat.
Outgoing President Gustavo Petro said on social media that "neither candidate can be declared president." He said the vote count would determine who would lead and that he will "abide by the judges' decision."
Petro also appealed for the public to remain calm. "The reality is that our country is split down the middle, and foreign interference is taking away our freedom," Petro said on X.
