Conservative attorney Abelardo de la Espriella led Colombia¡¯s presidential runoff as early results came in Sunday, putting him in a strong position to sweep aside Gustavo Petro¡¯s leftist movement and align Bogota with the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump.
De la Espriella received 50.6% of the vote, with 65% of polling stations reporting, according to the electoral authority. Leftist senator Ivan Cepeda, a Petro ally, had 47.8%, in one of the most polarized elections in the nation¡¯s history.
More complete results are expected later Sunday. The winner will take office on Aug. 7. Petro was constitutionally limited to one four-year term.
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