Colombian Leftist Presidential Candidate Concedes Defeat, Cites Foreign Interference

(CNA Bogota, June 24, Comprehensive Foreign News) The Colombian presidential election was decided by a very narrow margin, with leftist candidate Ivan Cepeda conceding defeat on Sunday to his hardline right-wing opponent Abelardo de la Espriella.

According to Agence France-Presse, hours after Cepeda announced his concession, election authorities also confirmed the preliminary results of the general election, with de la Espriella winning by less than 1 percentage point.

Cepeda told reporters that he had "decided to accept the election results."

He added, "I am doing this to promote peaceful coexistence and dialogue among Colombians."

Cepeda had already distanced himself from violence following protests against the election results that occurred on the night of June 21.

The office of President-elect de la Espriella welcomed Cepeda's statement, saying the next government will guarantee "the right to political opposition and the right to peaceful protest."

Cepeda is an ally of current President Gustavo Petro, who has accused the election of fraud and stated that he might declare the election invalid due to "direct interference" from the United States.

De la Espriella received active support from U.S. President Donald Trump before and after the runoff vote on June 21.

Cepeda strongly stated that his acceptance of the election results "does not mean abandoning the truth" and that "we believe we should not remain silent in the face of serious events, such as open and improper foreign interference."

The European Union Election Observation Mission in Colombia (MOE) stated on June 23 that there were no problems with the election.

Election authorities stated that a presidential candidate who reaches the second round of the runoff but loses will be granted a seat in the Senate.

Cepeda, who is already a senator, and his party, the Historic Pact, hold the most seats in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, but no single party currently holds an absolute majority.

De la Espriella, who has no prior political experience, will take office in August, marking the end of Colombia's first leftist government in history. (Compiled by Ji Jinling) 0625

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