government
Trump-backed de la Espriella holds razor-thin lead in Colombia's election as rival challenges vote
By Regina Garcia Cano And Astrid Suárez, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News
· June 21, 2026
· 5 min read
Political outsider Abelardo de la Espriella held a razor-thin lead in Colombia’s presidential election with nearly all the votes counted Sunday, in a runoff vote marked by people’s fears of a renewed internal conflict.A victory by de la Espriella would effectively be an indictment of the policies...
Key takeaway President Donald Trump’s endorsement despite never having run for office, led progressive lawmaker Iván Cepeda taking 49.
Why this matters in Alamo Heights News
For Alamo Heights residents with ties to Colombia, the outcome of this presidential election is being closely watched. The prospect of a de la Espriella presidency and his promised tough-on-crime approach may resonate with some who have experienced the devastating effects of drug trafficking and violence in their home country. Others, however, may be concerned about the potential human rights implications of emulating policies like those of Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele. As the city's Colombian community awaits the official results, they may be considering how a change in leadership could impact their families and friends back home, as well as the potential for increased migration to the San Antonio area. The election's focus on preventing a resurgence of violence also serves as a reminder of the importance of supporting local organizations that provide aid to refugees and asylum seekers from Colombia and other countries affected by conflict.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News . Alamo Heights News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: government ·
Published: June 21, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News ·
Reading time: 5 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Political outsider Abelardo de la Espriella held a razor-thin lead in Colombia’s presidential election with nearly all the votes counted Sunday, in a runoff vote marked by people’s fears of a renewed internal conflict.A victory by de la Espriella would effectively be an indictment of the policies...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 21, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News and curated for Alamo Heights News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Regina Garcia Cano And Astrid Suárez, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News. To learn more about how Alamo Heights News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more government coverage from Alamo Heights News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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