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Original article: Colombia no es patio trasero: Cepeda denuncia injerencia de Trump a favor del ultraderechista De la Espriella

Iván Cepeda, the presidential candidate for Colombia’s ruling coalition Pacto Histórico, criticized the public backing from U.S. President Donald Trump for far-right contender Abelardo De la Espriella, claiming it constitutes an interference in Colombia’s internal affairs during the critical second-round electoral campaign.

“The blatant support, which I would call interventionist in nature, that President Donald Trump has extended to Abelardo De la Espriella (…) poses a severe threat to the sovereignty and integrity of the Colombian people and the nation,” he stated.

Cepeda emphasized that members of Pacto Histórico strongly believe in the respect and sovereignty of the Colombian people to make their choice at the polls on June 21 during the runoff election.

“Any president in the world, especially within our hemisphere, may have preferences for certain political options being debated in Colombia, but it is unacceptable for external intervention from Mr. De la Espriella and others to influence our electoral contest,” he clarified.

Trump’s endorsement of De la Espriella became public last Monday when the Republican magnate described the member of the Defenders of the Homeland movement as an “intelligent, strong, and determined” individual who would supposedly drive economic growth and restore “law and order” if elected president of Colombia, as reported by TeleSUR.

Cepeda Warns De la Espriella Poses “A Grave Risk to Democracy”

However, Cepeda reminded that De la Espriella had already requested foreign intervention in the electoral race even before Trump’s statement.

“The aim is for Mr. De la Espriella to use his status as a U.S. citizen (which he obtained in 2023) to facilitate forms of intervention in political life. We vehemently reject this,” he admonished.

Trump has previously supported other far-right leaders in the region, such as Javier Milei in Argentina, Daniel Noboa in Ecuador, Nasry Afura in Honduras, and José Antonio Kast in Chile.

The Pacto Histórico candidate also warned that his opponent, linked to paramilitarism, represents “a serious risk to democracy.” In fact, the Bogotá lawyer and entrepreneur proposes mega-prisons, a 40% reduction of the state, civilian firearm ownership, and a total military alliance with the United States and Israel on security matters.

Beneath De la Espriella’s façade as a “self-made man” lies a well-oiled scheme connecting Colombian far-right elements with the U.S. Republican Party, Trumpism, and corporations with interests in Washington.

The businessman also has solid ties in Florida, owning thirteen registered businesses in the state (seven active under his name or his wife’s) and has donated nearly $95,000 to Republican campaigns since 2018, of which $92,000 went directly to Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar, a key figure in the Trumpist faction.

For his part, Cepeda advocates for a project grounded in respect for life, the environment, human rights, social development, and national self-determination.

The runoff election on June 21 will determine whether Colombia continues along the humanistic project and social rights reforms developed by the current President Gustavo Petro or takes an authoritarian turn with a far-right candidate representing international oligarchy aligned with Washington’s interests.

La entrada Colombia’s Sovereignty at Stake: Cepeda Condemns Trump’s Support for Far-Right Candidate De la Espriella se publicó primero en El Ciudadano.