Petro accuses Trump of attempting to influence Colombia election

Colombian President Gustavo Petro accused US President Donald Trump of attempting to influence the country’s presidential election by expressing support for candidate Abelardo de la Espriella. Speaking in Córdoba, Petro rejected what he described as foreign interference and criticised both Trump and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, questioning Washington’s approach to drug policy and its role in Latin America. He also warned that external actors were seeking to shape Colombia’s political direction.

Petro further alleged electoral fraud and said he does not recognise the preliminary vote count, while de la Espriella, who led the first round with 43.74% of the vote, called on him to accept the result. Ivan Cepeda secured 40.90%, forcing a second round scheduled for 21 June, when voters will decide the country’s next president after no candidate achieved an outright majority.