Far-right Colombian presidential candidate Abelardo De La Espriella greets supporters following preliminary results that show him leading leftist Ivan Cepeda, in Barranquilla, Colombia, on Sunday. Photo by Mauricio Duenas Castaneda/EPA
June 21 (UPI) -- Abelardo De La Espriella, a far-right criminal defense lawyer endorsed by U.S. President Donald Trump, claimed victory Sunday night in Colombia's presidential runoff election as preliminary results indicated he held the narrowest of leads over leftist Sen. Ivan Cepeda.
Less than 1 percentage point, representing about 250,000 votes, separated the two candidates late Sunday when rapid preliminary results showed De La Espriella had secured 49.66% of the vote to Cepeda's 48.77%.
"Compatriots, let us recognize this as a victory of a people who spoke, and the people should celebrate this triumph with joy and patriotism, because the miracle of the homeland begins today," De La Espriella said in a speech while claiming victory before supporters.
He also urged supporters to "protect the votes" while calling on lawyers to remain alert and ready to defend "what the people decided."
