Trump-Style Anti-Cartel Candidate Gains Ground in Colombia Election
Colombians are voting on whether to continue with Gustavo Petro's leftist policies or support Abelardo de la Espriella, a hardline candidate advocating for aggressive anti-cartel measures. De la Espriella's approach includes airstrikes and maximum-security prisons for traffickers, contrasting sharply with Petro's 'total peace' strategy. The election is closely contested, with a runoff expected as no candidate is likely to achieve a majority.
- ▪Abelardo de la Espriella has gained popularity by opposing Gustavo Petro's policies.
- ▪Human rights organizations have reported over 50 massacres in Colombia this year.
- ▪Polls show a tight race between Iván Cepeda and de la Espriella, with a runoff likely.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Trump-Style Anti-Cartel Candidate Gains Ground in Colombia Election By Ben Smith | 4:25 PM on May 31, 2026 The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of RedState.com. AP Photo/Fernando Vergara Colombians voted Sunday on whether to keep tolerating Gustavo Petro's leftist experiment or hand power to a hardliner who has promised to bomb cartel encampments, lock traffickers in remote megaprisons, and fumigate coca fields the way El Salvador's Nayib Bukele cleared out his country's gangs: with overwhelming force.
…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at RedState.
Discussion
0 commentsMore from RedState
