Bogot¡: The Colombian government has strongly opposed foreign interference in its forthcoming presidential runoff, leading to a diplomatic conflict with Washington after US President Donald Trump officially endorsed candidate Abelardo de la Espriella.
According to Anadolu Agency, the controversy erupted after the initial round of elections on May 31. De la Espriella, an ally of Trump, defied expectations by securing 43.74% of the votes. He is set to compete against Ivan Cepeda, representing President Gustavo Petro's left-wing coalition, who garnered 40.90% of the votes, in the critical runoff scheduled for June 21.
On social media, Trump applauded de la Espriella's "tremendous accomplishments" and offered his "Complete and Total Endorsement." He also labeled Cepeda as a "Radical Left Marxist." De la Espriella responded positively to the endorsement, emphasizing the US alliance as crucial to "liberate Colombia once and for all from narcoterrorism."
The endorsement, combined with the State Department's declaration to monitor the election, incited a strong reaction from Bogot¡. The Colombian Foreign Ministry issued a statement condemning any foreign actions intended to influence the election as unacceptable interference.
In the Caribbean department of Cordoba, President Petro criticized Trump for violating a bilateral agreement to remain neutral. He also questioned US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, suggesting that Washington's support for a populist with questionable ties undermines its commitment to combating narcotics.
Petro, who was added to the US Treasury's OFAC sanctions list last October, openly challenged Washington to intensify its punitive actions. "They can put me on the OFAC list 10,000 times, and if they want to throw me in jail, let them try-but I won't back down," he declared.
The Colombian president also criticized local opposition groups for their submissive stance toward Washington, associating it with the poor treatment of Colombian migrants in the US. "We Latin Americans are not here to be treated like dogs," Petro stated. "I don't understand those Colombians who vote for those who kneel in Miami."
As the rhetoric escalates, Petro is preparing to travel to New York to oversee activities related to Colombia's temporary presidency of the UN Security Council.