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Colombia’s President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella Pledges a ‘Miracle Nation’

By María Claudia Peña - June 23, 2026

Standing behind a bulletproof screen beneath Barranquilla’s towering Ventana al Mundo monument, President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella delivered a triumphant yet carefully choreographed victory speech Sunday night, promising to restore security, revive confidence in Colombia’s democratic institutions and govern for all Colombians after one of the closest presidential elections in the country’s modern history. Addressing […]

Colombia’s ‘Tiger’ victory reverberates with world leaders

By Richard Emblin - June 22, 2026

Congratulations poured in from world leaders on Sunday evening after conservative president-elect Abelardo “El Tigre” de la Espriella secured a razor-thin victory in Colombia’s presidential runoff, with messages from Washington to Jerusalem signaling expectations of a significant realignment in the country’s foreign and economic policies. The strongest endorsements came from the United States, where President […]

Abelardo ‘El Tigre’ de la Espriella wins Colombia’s presidency by narrow margin

By Richard Emblin - June 21, 2026

Conservative firebrand Abelardo “El Tigre” de la Espriella has been elected Colombia’s next president after defeating hard-left rival Iván Cepeda in Sunday’s presidential runoff by less than one percentage point, capping one of the closest and most consequential elections in the country’s recent democratic history. According to National Registry Bulletin 18, De la Espriella secured […]

U.S. Embassy warns Americans of possible election-related unrest in Colombia

By The City Paper Staff - June 19, 2026

The United States Embassy in Bogotá has urged American citizens to exercise caution ahead of Colombia’s presidential runoff election on Sunday, warning of possible protests, transport disruptions and isolated violence, prompting a sharp rebuke from President Gustavo Petro, who accused Washington of unnecessarily alarming foreign nationals. The security alert, issued on Thursday, comes as Colombia […]

Bogotá ramps up security ahead of Colombia’s pivotal presidential runoff

By Richard Emblin - June 18, 2026

Bogotá is stepping up security and emergency preparations ahead of Sunday’s presidential runoff, deploying more than 12,500 police officers across the Colombian capital while easing alcohol restrictions after reaching a compromise with the city’s hospitality sector during the FIFA World Cup. Mayor Carlos Fernando Galán and Defence Minister Pedro Sánchez chaired a high-level Security Council […]

After an Impeccable Campaign, Colombia’s “Tiger” Faces His Greatest Test

By Richard Emblin - June 17, 2026

For the better part of a year, Colombians endured a presidential campaign in which a crowded field of hopefuls traded accusations, unveiled ambitious manifestos and promised to rescue a nation exhausted by polarization, economic uncertainty and a growing sense of institutional drift. When the dust settled, one candidate had consistently risen above the political cacophony: […]

ELN Declares Election Ceasefire as Colombia’s Runoff Faces Voter Coercion

By The City Paper Staff - June 16, 2026

Colombia’s presidential runoff campaign entered its final week under the shadow of security concerns, with the country’s largest remaining Marxist guerrilla announcing a temporary ceasefire while opposition allies filed a criminal complaint alleging armed groups may have influenced first-round voting. The National Liberation Army (ELN) said it would suspend offensive operations between June 20 and […]

Football Jersey Wars: Are Civil Liberties Being Sabotaged in Colombia’s Presidential Run-Off?

By Richard Emblin - June 10, 2026

During four years of Gustavo Petro’s presidential term, Colombians have witnessed the symbolic resurrection of flags and banners that many believe should be relegated to the country’s violent past. The president has brandished Simón Bolívar’s sword at political events, invoked images of the M-19 guerrilla movement of which he was once a member, and even […]

The ‘Era of the Tiger’ Begins: De La Espriella Responds to Trump’s Endorsement

By Richard Emblin - June 3, 2026

In a lengthy post on Truth Social, U.S. President Donald Trump threw his support behind Colombian presidential candidate Abelardo “El Tigre” de la Espriella, describing him as a “Smart, Strong, and Tough Leader” and offering what he called his “Complete and Total Endorsement” ahead of Colombia’s June 21 presidential runoff. Trump praised De la Espriella’s […]

Trump Endorses De La Espriella, Calls Cepeda a “Radical Left-Wing Marxist”

By Richard Emblin - June 3, 2026

U.S. President Donald Trump has thrown his unconditional support behind Colombian hard-right presidential candidate Abelardo “El Tigre” de la Espriella, offering what he described as his “complete and total endorsement” ahead of the country’s June 21 runoff election. The endorsement, published Tuesday evening on Trump’s Truth Social platform, immediately injected an international dimension into Colombia’s […]

Trump Nominates Nate Morris as U.S. Ambassador to Colombia

By The City Paper Staff - June 2, 2026

U.S. President Donald Trump has nominated Kentucky businessman and political ally Nathaniel “Nate” Morris to serve as the next U.S. ambassador to Colombia, placing a prominent supporter of the Republican president at the helm of one of Washington’s most important diplomatic posts in Latin America. The nomination was formally submitted to lawmakers on Monday, one […]

Petro Challenges Election Results as Colombia’s “Tiger” Clinches First-Round Victory

By Richard Emblin - June 1, 2026

The hard-right presidential candidate Abelardo “El Tigre” de la Espriella emerged as the frontrunner in Colombia’s presidential election on Sunday, setting up a June 21 runoff against left-wing senator Iván Cepeda after a closely contested first round that was quickly overshadowed by President Gustavo Petro’s allegations of electoral irregularities. According to the final bulletin (No.67) […]

Right-wing De La Espriella in Face-Off Election Against Marxist Iván Cepeda

By The City Paper Staff - May 31, 2026

Right-wing presidential candidate Abelardo “El Tigre” de la Espriella emerged as the frontrunner in Colombia’s presidential election on Sunday, setting up a high-stakes runoff against left-wing senator Iván Cepeda in a contest that could reshape the political future of one of Latin America’s largest economies. With more than 97% of ballots counted, National Registry Bulletin […]

Bogotá, Colombia brace for presidential vote with dry law, security alerts and international observers

By The City Paper Staff - May 29, 2026

Colombia is preparing for one of the largest international election observation missions in its history as the country heads toward Sunday’s presidential election amid heightened security measures, dry laws and nationwide institutional alerts aimed at safeguarding the democratic process. Polling stations across Colombia will open on Sunday, May 31, from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. […]

Colombia’s Armed Forces confirm over 50 dead in FARC dissident clashes in Guaviare

By The City Paper Staff - May 28, 2026

Colombia’s Armed Forces and regional authorities are struggling to verify the full scale of a bloody confrontation between rival FARC dissident factions in the remote southeastern department of Guaviare after clashes reportedly left more than 50 combatants dead. The fighting, described by officials as one of the deadliest episodes this year involving former Revolutionary Armed […]

Former Colombia FM Álvaro Leyva Accuses Petro of Undermining Colombia’s Elections

By Richard Emblin - May 27, 2026

Former Colombian Foreign Minister Álvaro Leyva Durán launched a blistering attack against President Gustavo Petro just days before Colombia heads to the polls on May 31, warning of what he described as looming threats to the country’s democratic institutions and accusing the government of preparing to reject an unfavorable electoral outcome. In a lengthy manifesto […]