1 of 2 | Far-right candidate Abelardo de la Espriella has defeated leftist Ivan Cepeda for the Colombian presidency. Photo by Mauricio Duenas Castaneda/EPA
June 25 (UPI) -- Colombia and Peru have elected two of Latin America's most conservative right-wing leaders after electoral authorities confirmed the victories of Abelardo de la Espriella in Colombia and Keiko Fujimori in Peru.
The two elections, both decided by razor-thin margins, mark a political shift in the Andean region after years of left-wing governments in both countries.
De la Espriella and Fujimori campaigned on platforms centered on strengthening public security, expanding the role of law enforcement in fighting organized crime, supporting free market economic policies and promoting socially conservative positions.
Colombian media reported that the National Electoral Council officially proclaimed De la Espriella president for the 2026-30 term after confirming his victory over government-backed candidate Iván Cepeda by less than one percentage point. The lawyer and businessman won 12.9 million votes, or 49.66% of valid ballots, compared with Cepeda's 48.70%.
