Winner of Colombia's presidential election announced

The second round of Colombia's presidential election was held yesterday. The Colombian National Electoral Council announced that right-wing candidate Abelardo De La Espriella won the election. According to initial results, De La Espriella received 49.7 percent of the vote, while the candidate supported by President Gustavo Petro, Ivan Cepeda, remained at 48.7 percent, losing the race by a margin of approximately 250 thousand votes.

The Electoral Council reported that more than 26.3 million Colombians cast their votes in the country, which has 41.4 million registered voters, and that approximately 427 thousand voters cast blank ballots, which are considered protest votes.

"TONIGHT MARKS THE BEGINNING OF A NEW STORY FOR THE COUNTRY"

Addressing his supporters after his election victory, De La Espriella said, "Today, a new era begins for our country. An era in which millions of citizens, through their free and democratic will, have chosen to believe in a great, safe, prosperous Colombia full of opportunities. Tonight marks the beginning of a new story for the country. Tonight, a new era begins, a change of order. I will govern for all Colombians, whether they voted for me or not."

Ivan Cepeda stated, "Once the official count is completed, the final result is announced, and the necessary verifications are made, we will accept the official result that emerges."

ESPRIELLA TO END NEGOTIATIONS WITH CRIMINAL ORGANIZATIONS

During his election campaign, De La Espriella frequently blamed President Petro for the country's economic and security problems, particularly the proliferation of armed groups, and stated that he would end negotiations with rebel and criminal organizations, expand the oil and natural gas sector, and lower taxes. Espriella also emphasized that he would maintain Petro's decision to increase the minimum wage by 23 percent and some social policies.