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Anti-cartel hardliner channels Trump in bid to end Colombia’s leftist era in pivotal election
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A hardline, law-and-order candidate who promises to dismantle drug cartels and reset Colombia’s security doctrine is gaining traction with voters as Colombians vote in Sunday’s presidential election.
As the world’s largest cocaine producer and a long-standing U.S. security partner, Colombia’s internal policies directly affect narcotics flows, migration dynamics and regional stability.
Analysts believe a shift in Bogotá’s leadership could reshape cooperation with Washington on drug interdiction, intelligence sharing and counter-cartel operations — issues that remain central to U.S. domestic and foreign policy.
Abelardo De La Espriella, a businessman and successful defense attorney, has emerged as a leading candidate on the right with a platform focused on aggressive counternarcotics enforcement, institutional reform and a decisive break from current leftist President Gustavo Petro’s negotiation-based approach with armed rebel groups.
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A supporter of Colombia’s presidential candidate for the Defensores de la Patria party, Abelardo de la Espriella, takes a selfie as she awaits his arrival to his last campaign rally in Barranquilla, Colombia, on May 23, 2026. Colombia will hold presidential elections on May 31. (Vanessa Romero/AFP via Getty Images)
The 47-year-old, nicknamed ‘The Tiger,’ recently told the Associated Press, «The only peace process I believe in is one imposed by the force of arms and the laws of the republic. Under my government, any bandit who resists will be eliminated as appropriate, and if he submits, we will imprison him in a mega prison so he can pay his debt to justice as they should.»
His rise mirrors a regional pattern seen with leaders like Javier Milei, Nayib Bukele and José Antonio Kast figures who have built political momentum around security-first agendas and voter frustration with crime and economic instability.
According to an Associated Press report, polls say De La Espriella is likely to fight it out with leftist candidate Iván Cepeda, who is from the same party as President Gustavo Petro, and center-right candidate Paloma Valencia. There are 14 candidates on the ballot.
Colombia’s presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella, of the Defensores de la Patria party, speaks behind bulletproof glass during his closing campaign rally in Medellin, Colombia on May 24, 2026. Colombia will hold presidential elections on May 31. (Jaime Saldarriaga/AFP Via Getty Images)
Valencia’s campaign is backed by most of the nation’s traditional parties and by economists who are concerned about the growing levels of debt under the Petro administration and want Colombia to return to more orthodox policies, the Associated Press reported.
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Valencia told Fox News Digital, «As president of Colombia, we will restore a strategic, close, and trustworthy relationship with the United States, based on mutual respect and the defense of our national interests. We will strengthen cooperation in security, intelligence, military training, and the fight against transnational crime; areas in which the alliance between our two countries has been essential to Colombia’s stability. We will also work to ensure that Colombia plays an active role in the Shield of the Americas and contributes to regional leadership in defense and security. «
She added, «The United States will continue to be a key partner for economic growth, investment, and job creation, as well as a vital ally for the millions of Colombians who live there. Colombia will also stand alongside the United States in defending freedom and democracy across the hemisphere, supporting efforts to restore liberty in Cuba and to help Venezuela return to a democratic path. Our relationship will be defined by trust, cooperation, and the pursuit of tangible benefits for Colombia and its citizens.»
Paloma Valencia, presidential candidate for the Democratic Center party, during the Gran Consulta Por Colombia election night rally in Bogota, Colombia, on Sunday, March 8, 2026. Senator Paloma Valencia is now among the favorites to become Colombia’s next president after her landslide win in primaries on Sunday. (Nathalia Angarita/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Critics say leftist candidate Iván Cepeda, represents a continuation and potential expansion of the leftist policies associated with Petro. Cepeda supports dialogue with armed groups, rural reform and a reform of Colombia’s traditional security framework, placing greater emphasis on social investment.
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Camilo Guzmán, executive director of Libertank, told Fox News Digital that Sunday’s election will likely result in a runoff between Cepeda and De La Espriella. «Abelardo earned that ticket by reading the room better than anyone else in the opposition. He offered catharsis, speaking directly to Colombian voters’ indignation toward the traditional political class and the establishment.
«Where center-right Senator Paloma Valencia offered competence and continuity with the Uribe tradition, he said, De La Espriella’s message «is built on a hard line on security,» Guzman added. «Ending Petro’s failed ‘total peace’ policy that emboldened guerrillas and cartels, going after narco-trafficking with full force, and rebuilding the counter-narcotics alliance with Washington that Petro spent four years dismantling.«
Analysts say the outcome for the U.S. carries significant strategic weight. A De La Espriella administration could align more closely with Washington’s traditional counternarcotics priorities, potentially strengthening bilateral cooperation at a time when synthetic drug flows and organized crime networks are expanding across the hemisphere.
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Colombia’s presidential candidate Ivan Cepeda, of the Pacto Historico party, speaks to supporters during his final campaign rally in Barranquilla, Atlantico department, Colombia on May 24, 2026. (Vanessa Romero/AFP via Getty Images)
Beyond bilateral relations, the election is being closely watched as a potential inflection point for Latin America. A De La Espriella or Valencia win would reinforce the momentum of security-focused leadership seen in parts of the region, while a Cepeda presidency would signal continuity for Petro’s policies.
José Manuel Restrepo, candidate for vice president on the ticket with De La Espriella talked exclusively to Fox News Digital. «The relationship between Colombia and the United States needs to be recovered and rebuilt, and this starts with a sound security policy to combat drug trafficking. It will be crucial to move beyond the current deteriorated relationship, in which we lost the historic bilateral, bicameral, bipartisan, and multisectoral relationship with our primary trading and investment partner.»
Jose Manuel Restrepo, Colombia’s former finance minister and vice presidential candidate for the Defenders of the Homeland party, during a campaign rally in Bogota, Colombia, on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (Nathalia Angarita/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
He continued, «To strengthen it, we must seize the opportunity for Colombia to become the United States’ best possible ally in the restoration of democracy in Venezuela. Leveraging this relationship with the United States, we can play a major role in investing in food, hygiene products and basic needs from Colombia to Venezuela. This would, among other things, give a new direction to the relationship with the United States, creating new opportunities that benefit Colombia…Under our administration, the relationship with the United States would be strengthened and revitalized.
Guzman noted that «De La Espriella’s anti-establishment posture is not a libertarian agenda. His economic program leans on price controls, interest-rate subsidies, and import substitution, closer to old-school Latin American populism than to Bukele’s pro-investment turn, and a world away from Milei’s free-market project. Whether the economic program that comes with it creates new instability south of the border is the open question.»
Supporters of Colombia’s presidential candidate Ivan Cepeda, of the Pacto Historico party, attend a campaign rally at Plaza Bolivar in Bogota on May 22, 2026. (Raul Arboleda/AFP via Getty Images)
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Analyst, entrepreneur and son of a former president Jerónimo Uribe said the stakes could not be clearer in Sunday’s presidential race. «The elections in Colombia are not between the left and the right. They are between a communist model propped up by drug traffickers and a model that defends democracy and freedom,» he told Fox News Digital.
Representatives for Cepeda did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
colombia, latin america, national security, organized crime
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House GOP divisions are erupting on the midterm campaign trail as Republicans fight an uphill battle to keep control of Congress for the latter half of President Donald Trump’s term.
The infighting touched down in Florida on Wednesday, where two House Republicans are endorsing a primary opponent to incumbent Rep. Cory Mills, R-Fla., who is facing multiple investigations into his finances and allegations of domestic abuse, among other claims. Mills has denied any wrongdoing.
Reps. Mike Haridopolos, R-Fla., and Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., announced they’re backing former local TV anchor Ryan Elijah for Mills’ seat and said they «urge our fellow Republicans to join us in supporting him.»
«Ryan Elijah is an excellent candidate and will ensure victory for us in Florida 7,» Haridopolos told Fox News Digital. The Florida congressman will be in attendance at Mills’ debate against Elijah on Wednesday night and plans to sit next to the candidate’s wife.
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Representative Cory Mills, R-Fla., addresses the media outside of Manhattan Criminal Court on behalf of former President Donald Trump on May 14, 2024 in New York City. (David Dee Delgado/Getty Images)
Notably, President Donald Trump has endorsed Haridopolos, Luna and Mills for re-election — a fact Mills brought up in his response to Fox News Digital.
«I’m the only candidate in this race endorsed by President Donald Trump. Not once, not twice, but three times. I’m proud to have earned his trust because he knows I’ll continue fighting to advance the America First agenda and deliver results,» Mills said. «The fact is, my office has returned more than $107 million to the people of Florida’s 7th District, led Florida in constituent services, built one of the strongest conservative voting records in Congress, and flipped this district from blue to red,and kept it red. My record speaks for itself.»
It comes after another GOP source told Fox News Digital that some Florida Republicans were worried about the chances of keeping Mills’ seat if he won the primary on Tuesday, Aug. 18.
The nonpartisan Cook Political Report downgraded its projection for Republicans from «Solid R» to «Likely R» earlier this year. And with a Cook rating of R+5, Democrats could be within striking distance if Republicans see a tough enough cycle in November.
Mills is under investigation by the House Ethics Committee and the Department of Justice (DOJ), according to a source, though he has consistently insisted that he has not done anything wrong.
WATCH: CORY MILLS BLASTS DOJ PROBE AS ‘POLITICAL OP’ AHEAD OF FLORIDA PRIMARY
The Republican military veteran dismissed reports of a DOJ investigation as a «desperate lie» by his opponents and said on X late last month, «We are not aware of any DOJ investigation, nor has there been any confirmation of such investigation by DOJ or FBI, and would fully cooperate if there was one.»
Fox News Digital reached out to Mills for a response to Haridopolos and Luna’s endorsement.
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna speaks during the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability hearing on border and immigration issues in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 7, 2023. (Jack Gruber/USA TODAY)
Mills is one of several House Republicans whose allegations of misconduct are posing a headache for the GOP on the campaign trail.
Rep. Chuck Edwards, R-N.C., announced overnight that he would drop his re-election bid after an explosive report detailed sexual harassment accusations by two young female staffers. Edwards has denied those accusations but has admitted to at times making staff feel uncomfortable.
GOP LAWMAKER’S GIFTS, ‘EFFUSIVE AFFECTION’ TOWARD YOUNG STAFFERS DETAILED IN EXPLOSIVE ETHICS REPORT
And Rep. Max Miller, R-Ohio, has been accused of domestic abuse by his ex-wife and former father-in-law, Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, and is facing pressure from congressional Republicans to drop out of his race as well. One House GOP source called the situation a «f—ing trainwreck» in comments to Fox News Digital.
Miller has denied any wrongdoing and asked the House Ethics Committee to initiate an investigation in order to clear his name. The former Trump aide has resisted calls to exit the race, insisting he will win in November and that the public accusations from his ex-wife are a bid to derail his political career.
All three House seats are on the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) target list, meaning Democrats are pouring money and resources into those races.
One House Republican, who was granted anonymity to speak freely, told Fox News Digital that all three should drop out of their races, stating, «We must lead by example.»
politics, house of representatives politics, florida, republicans
Métodos
Valoración
‘Una amarga decepción’
Ofertas de armas secretas
Pasa un momento de esperanza
Superando tácticamente a Washington
Noviembre será finalmente el mes que romperá con los casi 40 años que pasaron de la última vez que un papa visitó la Argentina. En esta oportunidad, León XIV, el sucesor del recordado Francisco I, será quien llegue al país con tres paradas: Buenos Aires, Córdoba y Luján, donde oficiará una misa.
Aunque durante todo el mandato del sumo pontífice argentino se mantuvo la expectativa por su llegada, finalmente eso nunca ocurrió así como tampoco la de su antecesor, Benedicto XVI. Por eso, el arribo del papa estadounidense y con el corazón peruano, generó una fuerte expectativa en toda Sudamérica.
La última vez que un papá visitó la Argentina
Hace 39 años el papa Juan Pablo II llegaba de visita a la Argentina, en un viaje que tenía muchos significados más allá de una misión sacerdotal puntual, que era la Jornada Mundial de la Juventud, que se cerró en la Ciudad de Buenos Aires.
Se trataba de la segunda vez que el “papa peregrino” besaba el suelo argentino y su llegada, además, representó la última ocasión en que un sumo pontífice estuvo en el país.
Juan Pablo II en Argentina.
Aquella visita de Juan Pablo II el 6 de abril 1987 fue programada y duró seis días, luego de haber pasado también por Uruguay y Chile, desde donde arribó a Buenos Aires. Todo lo contrario a su improvisada primera vez, cinco años antes, en plena guerra de las Malvinas.
En 1982, a comienzos de junio, el Papa había estado en el Reino Unido, como parte de una gira prevista desde antes de iniciado el conflicto bélico en las islas del Atlántico Sur. Pero, dadas las circunstancias, aprovechó para interceder en busca de la paz y del fin de la guerra.
Y esa situación lo llevó a improvisar unas semanas después un viaje relámpago, de un día y medio, a la Argentina, para dar el mismo mensaje. Su llegada fue el 11 de junio y 31 horas después se fue: dos días más tarde, el presidente de facto Leopoldo Galtieri ordenó la rendición de las tropas argentinas en las Islas Malvinas.
La última visita de Juan Pablo II: diez ciudades y 26 mensajes pastorales
Juan Pablo II aterrizó en el aeroparque Jorge Newbery de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires, procedente de Santiago de Chile. Y en la pista fue recibido por el presidente Raúl Alfonsín, quien estaba acompañado por su esposa María Lorenza Barrenechea.
Luego de decir unas palabras, se subió al “Papamóvil” (siempre blindado luego del atentado que sufriera en 1981) y tras un paso por la Nunciatura porteña, se dirigió a la Casa de Gobierno, donde volvió a verse con Alfonsín, y en concepto de reunión formal. Ahí, el pontífice salió al balcón de la Rosada, desde donde saludó a la multitud que se había reunido en la Plaza de Mayo.
Más de un millón de fieles fueron a la misa que Juan Pablo II dio desde un altar que se ubicó en 9 de Julio y Santa Fe.
En esos días en los que estuvo en el país, además de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires, estuvo en Bahía Blanca, Tucumán, Corrientes, Viedma, Mendoza, Córdoba, Salta, Paraná y Rosario. Había llegado el lunes 6 y el sábado 11 estuvo al frente del Encuentro con los Jóvenes y en la mañana del domingo, uno muy especial para los católicos porque era “domingo de Ramos”, el previo a la Pascua, encabezó la jornada Mundial de la Juventud desde un altar ubicado en 9 de Julio y Santa Fe, estimándose que más de un millón de personas participó del evento.
Las palabras de despedida de Juan Pablo II en la Argentina
En las que fueron las últimas palabras formales a todos los fieles de la Argentina, en especial a los jóvenes que habían llegado hasta el centro porteño desde diferentes puntos del país -y también de otros países vecinos-, Juan Pablo II dejó un mensaje de amor y de fe: “Podéis estar seguros de que os llevo a todos muy dentro de mi corazón. Os pido que, cada día, recéis por mí y Dios os lo recompensará sobreabundantemente. Ruego a la Virgen de Luján que os alcance de su divino Hijo la gracia para corresponder fielmente a las exigencias de vuestra vocación cristiana”.
El 11 de junio de 1982 el papa Juan Pablo II rezó ante la Virgen de Luján. Su Santidad vino a la Argentina para pedir la paz por el conflicto en Malvinas. (Foto: captura de video)
Y el único Papa de la Iglesia Católica de la historia que, no una sino dos veces, visitó el país, agregó como final: “Mientras hago fervientes votos por la prosperidad, paz y concordia entre los amadísimos hijos de esta noble nación, imparto a todos con afecto mi Bendición Apostólica. ¡Hasta siempre, Argentina!”.
Juan Pablo II fue el papa 264 de la Iglesia Católica. De origen polaco, Karol Józef Wojtyła nació en la ciudad de Wadowice, el 18 de mayo de 1920. Fue ordenado Sumo Pontífice el 16 de octubre de 1978, como sucesor de Juan Pablo I. Y se mantuvo en el papado hasta el día de su muerte, el 2 de abril de 2005. Su reemplazante fue el alemán Joseph Ratzinger, quien eligió el nombre de Benedicto XVI.
Papa, papa Juan Pablo II
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