Colombian President Gustavo Petro has declined to acknowledge the preliminary results of the presidential runoff election, which indicate a win for the far-right candidate Abelardo de la Espriella. He raised concerns about significant voting irregularities and insisted on awaiting the official tally before declaring any candidate victorious.
With 98.91% of the votes counted, De la Espriella, representing the Defenders of the Fatherland movement, garnered 12,921,702 votes (49.65%), narrowly surpassing the ruling party's candidate, Iván Cepeda of the Historical Pact, who received 12,673,392 votes (48.70%). The margin was a slim 1.07 percentage points, with neither candidate reaching the 50% threshold.
"Ballot boxes without judge signatures must be contested immediately. We cannot yet determine who the president is, and there are numerous irregularities," Petro expressed on his X account.
The president accused the National Registry of uploading election forms—known as E-14 records—without the necessary voting judge signatures, describing this as a severe irregularity that renders those ballot boxes invalid.
"With an almost tied vote and no candidate reaching 50%, we must wait for the official count. The last pre-count bulletin shows 49% versus 48%," Petro reiterated, emphasizing that the official count, not the preliminary tally, is the legal procedure that decides the winner.
In another statement on X, Petro was more assertive: "No president can be declared. It is the official count that determines the president. I defer to the judges. Remain calm, citizens."
Petro also accused foreign interference, referring to the public support De la Espriella received from former U.S. President Donald Trump and Argentine President Javier Milei. Trump promised "total support" from Washington if De la Espriella won, while Milei applauded his progress as part of a regional shift against the "socialist model."
International Observers and Previous Allegations
This is not Petro's first challenge to election results. After the initial round on May 31, where De la Espriella led with 43.74% against Cepeda's 40.90%, Petro accused the private company managing the election software of manipulation.
International observer missions present on Sunday dismissed fraud accusations. The Organization of American States described the voting as "civic, calm, and participatory," while the European Union delegation stated there was "no fraud" in the process.
Despite the tensions, Petro urged calm and proposed the need for a "national agreement" to "maintain the country and peace in the coming years," acknowledging that the results reflect "a nation divided in half."
Key Questions About Colombia's Election Controversy
What irregularities did Gustavo Petro allege in the election?
Petro alleged that election forms were uploaded without the necessary voting judge signatures, which he claims is a serious irregularity that invalidates those ballot boxes.
How did international observers respond to the fraud accusations?
International observers, including the Organization of American States and the European Union delegation, dismissed the fraud accusations, describing the voting process as fair and participatory.
What was the reaction of foreign leaders to De la Espriella's candidacy?
Former U.S. President Donald Trump and Argentine President Javier Milei publicly supported De la Espriella. Trump offered total support from Washington, while Milei celebrated his progress as part of a regional shift against socialism.