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Lula da Silva: Brazil is back

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Brazil’s former president Lula da Silva (2003-2010) won the second round of presidential election that was held on October 30th, with 50.83 percent. Left-wing candidate Lula da Silva, who defeated incumbent right-wing leader Jair Bolsonaro, said he would restore his country to its rightful place in the international arena.

In Brazil, Latin America’s largest country with a population of over 212 million, about 156 million voters went to the polls on Sunday. 

Labour Party candidate Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva won 50.83 per cent of the vote, compared to 49.17 per cent for Liberal Party candidate and incumbent President Jair Bolsonaro, according to polling results published by the Superior Electoral Court (TSE).

Lula da Silva also surpassed Bolsonaro (43.20 percent) with 48.43 percent of the vote in the first round of the presidential election held on October 2nd.

Lula, who previously ruled Brazil for two terms, will take over the presidency from Bolsonaro on January 1st, 2023.

A single country, a single people…

Lula da Silva addressed to his supporters after winning the election “as of January 1st, 2023, I will govern for 215 million Brazilians, and not just for those who voted for me. There are not two Brazils. We are a single country, a single people, a great nation.”

Referring to the corruption charges and spending time in jail, Lula said “I think I am experiencing a resurgence in Brazilian politics. They tried to bury me alive, but now I’m here to rule the country. We are in a very difficult situation, but I am sure that with the help of the people, we will find a way out and restore peace.”

The most urgent task is to fight hunger

Emphasizing the fight against hunger, Lula said, “Our most urgent commitment is to end hunger again, we cannot accept it as normal for millions of men, women and children to go hungry or consume less protein than necessary in this country. We are the third largest food producer and the first in animal protein.”

“We are able to export all over the world and we have a duty to ensure that every Brazilian can have breakfast, lunch and dinner every day,” Lula reiterated. “This will once again be my government’s number one commitment,” he said.

Referring to the housing problem, Lula said, “We cannot accept that families are forced to sleep on the streets as normal, so we will continue the ‘my home is my life’ program and bring back the participation programs. Brazil can no longer live with this huge wall of inequality.”

Lula listed the demands of the people as follows: “The Brazilian people want to have a good job, a salary which is always above inflation, a quality public health and education system. They want books instead of guns. Brazilian people want to regain hope.”

Democracy message

Describing the election victory as a “victory of democracy”, Lula said, “This is the victory of an enormous democratic movement founded beyond political parties, personal interests, and ideologies for the victory of democracy,”

Lula shared the Brazilian flag on his Twitter account with a “Democracy” note.

Foreign policy remarks:

Prestige in the world

“Today, we are telling the world that Brazil is back and is too big to be relegated to the sad role of a pariah,” Lula said, “What I hear the most in my international trips is that the world misses that sovereign Brazil that spoke on equal terms with the richest and most powerful countries and, at the same time, contributed to the poorest countries.” 

Regional integration

“We are going to reconquer the credibility, predictability and stability of the country so that investors regain confidence in Brazil, so that they stop seeing our country as a source of immediate and predatory profit and become our allies in economic growth,” Lula said, recalling that in his previous terms, he had strengthened Mercosur and other regional integration organizations.

New standards with the US and EU

Talking about forming partnerships with US and EU on new standards, Lula da Silva added “We are not interested in trade agreements that condemn our country to enter the role of the seller of commodities and raw materials. We are going to reindustrialize and invest in the green economy.”

Lula also raised the issue of five permanent members of the UN, which undermine the balance between countries and prevented the enlargement of the General Assembly and the Security Council.

Fighting the climate crisis

“We are ready to re-engage in the fight against hunger in the world,” Lula da Silva stated and added that Brazil is ready to gain its leading role in the fight against the climate crisis by protecting all rainforests, especially the Amazon rainforest.

“We are open to international cooperation to preserve the Amazon, but always under Brazil’s leadership, without giving up our sovereignty,” Lula said, stressing that the growing deforestation and destruction in the Amazon rainforest will end.

Rise of the left in Latin America

The “pink tide” continues to rise in Latin America, which has defeated US-backed coups.

Following the elections in Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, Chile, Honduras, and Colombia, victory of yet another left-wing candidate in Brazilian elections too have raised the expectations on the strengthening of regional integration efforts. Lula da Silva’s emphasis on regional integration in his victory speech also points to this. Lula and Brazil are expected to boost cooperation among other governments, such as Argentina, Chile, Mexico, and Colombia, which share similar perspectives.

So much so that the leaders of Latin America, who strongly embraced Lula’s victory, shared enthusiastic congratulatory messages, and emphasized that this victory would strengthen the unification of Latin America.

Full support from Latin American leaders

Argentine President Alberto Fernandez shared his photo with Lula on his Twitter account, saying: “Congratulations, Lula da Silva! Your victory opens a new era for the history of Latin America. A time of hope and future that begins today. Here you have a partner to work and dream big for the good life of our peoples. After so many injustices that you experienced, the people of Brazil have elected you and democracy has triumphed.”

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro also tweeted: “We celebrate the victory of the Brazilian people, who this October 30th, elected Lula as their new President. Long live the peoples determined to be free, sovereign, and independent! Today in Brazil democracy triumphed. Congratulations Lula!”

Cuban President Miguel Diaz Canel said in his post, “They delayed your victory with heinous methods, but they couldn’t prevent you from winning with the vote of the people. Social justice will return.”

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador also shared his photo with Lula on his social media account, saying, “Lula won, blessed people of Brazil. There will be equality and humanism.”

Bolivia’s President Luis Arce Catacora, emphasizing integration in his Twitter account, said: “Congratulations, brother Lula, Brazil’s elected president! Your victory strengthens democracy and Latin American integration. We are sure that you will lead the Brazilian people along the path of peace, progress and social justice.”

Honduras President Xiomara Castro also shared her photo with Lula and posted “He faced the most conservative powers in history, and together with the people of Brazil he has defeated them. Latin America is reborn with hope in a true humanist process of change and liberation.”

Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who posted “Yay Lula” on his social media account, emphasized integration in Latin America in his following posts.

President of the Republic of Chile, Gabriel Boric retweeted Lula’s post and added “Lula. Happiness!”

Peru’s President Pedro Castillo congratulated Lula on his victory, saying: “Peru congratulates the president-elect of Brazil, the comrade Lula, worker, trade unionist, fighter. His victory is essential to strengthen the unity of Latin America and the social justice of the Great Homeland.”

With Lula taking over in Brazil, most of the Latin American countries will be governed by leftist governments. In addition, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and Colombia together with Mexico constitute the 5 largest economies of the continent.

Relations with China expected to improve

Chinese President Xi Jinping congratulated the winner of the election, Lula da Silva, stressing that “deepening long-term friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation serves the fundamental interests of both countries.”

Xi said he highly values the development of China-Brazil relations, and he is ready to work with Lula to push forward China-Brazil comprehensive strategic partnership to a higher level to benefit to the two countries and their people.

Speaking to the Global Times, Chinese experts expect Lula’s return to significantly improve the atmosphere of cooperation between China and Brazil in terms of trade, investment, and global governance. It’s also emphasized that Lula’s return also means the strengthening of the autonomy of Latin American diplomacy.

“Lula’s return is likely to bring back a smoother China-Brazil relationship” Zhou Zhiwei, an expert on Latin American studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Monday. Zhou said this would allow both sides find more space and improve economic and trade cooperation, especially in agriculture and infrastructure construction.

“Brazil may also seek to participate in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) under Lula” Zhou said.

Lula and BRICS could be more compatible

Given that Lula was instrumental in the establishment and launch of the BRICS mechanism during his last stint in office, the Chinese expert believes that he will continue to be active and positive about BRICS.

According to the Chinese expert, cooperation between Lula and BRICS countries and communication on international hotspot issues and global affairs will be smoother and more stable than under Bolsonaro.

Regional integration and rejection of US hegemonism

Yang Jianmin, another Chinese Latin American expert, told the Global Times about the rising “pink tide” in the region.

Stating that the “pink tide” that continued with Lula’s election can be viewed as the opportunity to support regional integration, to reject US hegemony in the region, and to advocate independent diplomacy, Yang stressed that this is also China’s opportunity to develop a more profound bond with these countries.

He may also follow a more pragmatic policy…

Wang Youming, director of the Institute of Developing Countries at the China Institute of International Studies in Beijing, pointed out that unlike others, Lula could also pursue a more pragmatic policy.

“Lula’s emphasis on South-South cooperation and bonding with emerging powers does not mean that he will reject the US” Wang noted and added that it’s very likely that Lula will may have a more pragmatic style and less anti-American voice in his third term. According to Wang, instead, Lula may prioritize more practical tasks such as stabilizing the economy and mitigating the negative impact of COVID-19.

Brazil and China may explore new areas of cooperation

Tatiana Prazeres, director of trade and international relations for the Federation of Industries of the State of São Paulo, told the Atlantic Council on China’s policy, which Lula would likely to pursue, that despite negative rhetoric against China during the Bolsonaro administration, trade and investment between the two countries developed largely undisturbed, but the political unrest created by the anti-Chinese rhetoric prevented the deepening of bilateral relations in other areas such as science and technology.  Under Lula, Prazeres said, he expects Brazil and China to explore new areas of cooperation.

Lula may also be more enthusiastic about BRICS and the Belt Road, Prazeres said, adding that he may prefer to leverage Chinese investments and technologies to help reinvigorate Brazilian industry.

Biden may try to get closer through climate

Another expert spoken to the Atlantic Council is former secretary of foreign trade of Brazil, senior researcher Abrão Neto.

Lula’s election would lead to a significant change in Brazil’s environmental agenda, among other things, Abrão Neto said, adding that this would enable Brazil to improve its relationship with the United States.

Arguing that US-Brazil economic relations during the Lula era would continue to be driven by pragmatic mutual interests, the expert said: “A renewed stance from the Brazilian government on climate change and other environmental issues might offer an extended avenue for bilateral cooperation, with positive spillovers for the overall political and economic relationship between the United States and Brazil.”

Experts comment that Biden will try to get closer to Lula to lure Brazil into intense power rivalry.

It’s commonly expressed that Lula’s idea of strengthening the protection of the Amazon forests could be compatible with Biden’s climate policy.

US President Joe Biden was among the first world leaders to congratulate Lula.

On Sunday, Biden congratulated Lula on his victory following “free, fair and credible elections” and said he looked forward to continuing the cooperation with Brazil.

‘CIA’ plot against Lula

Lula da Silva, 77, who chaired Brazil for two terms in 2003-2010, was indicted for corruption in 2016. Lula, who argued that the case was political, applied to the court, but was sentenced to 9 years and 6 months in prison in 2017. He went to prison in 2018 and spent a year and a half in prison.

Lula was unable to run for president because he was in prison and could not run in the 2018 election. The lawsuits against Lula paved the way for Bolsonaro’s election.

In 2021, Lula’s convictions and cases were dismissed by the Supreme Court, which ruled that the judge responsible for these cases, Sergio Moro, was biased and political, paving the way for him to participate in the elections.

At the time, some messages about this investigation were leaked to the press by a Brazilian news site. The leaked messages revealed that federal judge Sergio Moro, who was conducting the investigation at the time, collaborated with prosecutors in ways that overstepped ethical lines and affect the decision on prison sentences.

It was understood that the corruption cases were conspiracy against Lula da Silva. The Brazilian federal prosecutor’s office announced that prosecutors conducting the investigation have been assigned to other units.

It was alleged that the CIA was behind the conspiracy against Lula at the time.

Lula, who followed policies to end the neoliberal impositions of the USA in Brazil and the region, IMF dependence, made Brazil the 10th largest economy in the world, improved relations with China, made the country one of the founders of BRICS, advocated regional integration, gained the love of the people by ensuring that approximately 30 million Brazilians got rid of poverty with the social policies he implemented.

The trial and imprisonment of Lula was described as a US-backed coup that brought the right to power.

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Israel looks to Latin America as Isaac Accords seek to expand regional partnerships

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23/06/2026

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As ties between Israel and Latin American countries continue to deepen, the newly launched Isaac Accords are emerging as a framework for expanding cooperation across the region.

The initiative formed the backdrop to a panel discussion on opportunities for Israel in the Western Hemisphere at the 2026 JNS International Policy Summit in Jerusalem on Monday.

The panel, titled “The Coming Isaac Accords: Israel and Latin America,” brought together diplomats and regional experts to discuss developments that could encourage participation in the Isaac Accords, the strategic framework announced in April by Argentine President Javier Milei and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during Milei’s visit to Israel.

Moderated by JNS correspondent Etgar Lefkovits, the discussion featured Panama’s Ambassador to Israel Ezra Cohen, former US Ambassador to Costa Rica Fitzgerald Haney, and Leah Soibel, founder and CEO of Fuente Latina, which provides Middle East news coverage to Spanish-language media outlets.

Soibel said:

“What we need to understand is that the Isaac Accords have an impact that extends far beyond diplomacy. Twenty percent of the US population is Hispanic. By 2050, that figure is expected to reach 30% of the population. This is the demographic group with the lowest levels of antisemitic sentiment.”

The panel also celebrated the victory of pro-US and pro-Israel candidate Abelardo De La Espriella, who defeated his left-wing rival in Colombia’s presidential election on Sunday.

De La Espriella had made the restoration of relations with Israel and the relocation of his country’s embassy to Jerusalem central elements of his campaign platform.

Cohen said that when he looks at a map of Latin America, only four countries are currently governed by left-wing, anti-Israel administrations.

Referring to an earlier panel discussing what participants described as a bleak future for Jews in Europe, Cohen remarked: “When one window closes, another opens. Come to Latin America.”

Haney argued that “Israel’s friends keep winning” and predicted that “we are going to see a lot more positive developments coming out of Latin America.”

He said a colleague in Colombia had sent him a text message promising: “On August 7 at 5 p.m., we will restore relations with Israel.”

Haney noted that this was the date and time when Colombia’s new president is scheduled to take office and predicted that another announcement regarding the relocation of Colombia’s embassy to Jerusalem would follow.

He described Colombia as the latest in a series of Latin American countries turning toward Israel in pursuit of “shared values, shared prosperity and shared security.”

Haney also said that the Israel Allies Foundation, a pro-Israel advocacy group that works with lawmakers, would bring together representatives from 11 legislative bodies across Latin America in Buenos Aires over the weekend to sign a joint declaration of principles.

He noted that the organisation had successfully worked with Brazil’s legislature despite the position of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, whom he described as anti-Israel.

According to Haney, Brazil’s legislature has developed a plan to deepen relations with Israel over the next nine months.

Soibel said that 12 Latin American countries had renewed or strengthened their friendships with Israel and that interest in Israel among Spanish-language content creators, influencers and journalists continues to grow. Her organisation has brought 300 non-Jewish Hispanic journalists to Israel.

The panel also highlighted the launch of a Panama-based Spanish-language edition of JNS. Soibel said the work of pro-Israel organisations remains vital because so few such groups operate in the region, while, in her words, “Iran, Qatar and Hezbollah are conducting propaganda campaigns in Spanish throughout Latin America.”

She continued:

“You could probably count on one hand, perhaps two, the number of organisations and leaders operating across the Spanish-speaking world. That makes this work extraordinarily strategic. Its impact is enormous. Israel and the Jewish people should invest more. There is a large Hispanic-Israeli population in Israel, and many of them were victims of the October 7 attacks. We have stories to tell. What we need now is investment and distribution channels to spread those messages and information.”

The panel concluded on an optimistic note, with participants expressing confidence that Latin America will become an increasingly important pillar of Israel’s global diplomatic strategy in the years ahead.

Milei and Netanyahu launch new accord

Argentine President Javier Milei and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the launch of the Isaac Accords last Saturday.

The initiative establishes a new strategic framework aimed at strengthening cooperation among Argentina, Israel and like-minded partners across the Western Hemisphere, described as “the descendants of Isaac and nations rooted in the Judeo-Christian tradition,” in defence of freedom and democracy and in the fight against terrorism, antisemitism and drug trafficking.

Participating countries will seek to strengthen coordination against what the agreement describes as terrorist organisations, with particular emphasis on “Iran’s efforts to expand terrorist networks and operational presence throughout the Western Hemisphere.”

The initiative also seeks to promote coordination and alignment in international forums while creating a framework for expanded cooperation in innovation, technology, trade and economic openness.

Speaking alongside Netanyahu at a joint press conference, Milei said:

“We expressed our unwavering support for the United States and Israel in their struggle against terrorism and the Iranian regime, not only because it is the right thing to do, but also because our countries are united through shared suffering.”

Milei referred to the 1992 bombing of the Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires and the 1994 attack on the AMIA Jewish community centre.

Although Argentine courts have attributed both attacks to Iran, Tehran has consistently denied any involvement.

Netanyahu praised the Argentine leader for demonstrating what he called “moral clarity” by standing with Israel and said he hoped other Latin American governments would join the Isaac Accords, which both leaders described as being inspired by the Abraham Accords.

The Abraham Accords, brokered by Washington in 2020, triggered a wave of normalisation in Arab-Israeli diplomatic relations.

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee attended the signing ceremony and described Milei and Netanyahu as “President Trump’s two closest friends.”

Huckabee added: “I do not think there are two other world leaders whom our president respects as much and with whom he has such a personal relationship.”

During the visit, the two sides also announced the launch of the first direct commercial flights between Buenos Aires and Tel Aviv, scheduled to begin in November.

Milei said the new route would create an “unbreakable bond” between the two countries and reiterated his intention to relocate Argentina’s embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

“As soon as circumstances permit, we once again reaffirm our commitment to moving the Argentine embassy to Jerusalem,” he said.

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Iran team leaves thank-you message in Los Angeles locker room after World Cup draw

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22/06/2026

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Iran’s national football team left a message in its locker room at SoFi Stadium, thanking Los Angeles for its hospitality during the World Cup.

The players said they were leaving the city with honor after keeping their hopes of reaching the knockout stage alive with a 0-0 draw against Belgium.

In the handwritten note, published by the Iran Football Federation, the team wrote:

“From the ancient land of Persia thousands of years ago to the civilized Iran of today, the spirit of Iran remains alive and unshaken. Los Angeles, thank you for your hospitality. We arrived in Los Angeles with pride, competed with honor and leave with dignity.”

The note also thanked Iranian supporters who gave their “hearts, voices and souls” to the team throughout its two matches and concluded with a call for peace, respect and friendship among all nations.

Los Angeles hosted both of Iran’s Group G matches, while the team returned to its training base in Tijuana between games.

Iran has been based in Tijuana throughout the tournament and has had to travel back and forth to the United States for matches because of restrictions related to its stay in the country. Entry bans were also imposed on some members of the national team’s coaching staff and officials.

US authorities said the team’s travel arrangements remain under review, while discussions continue over the possible easing of some restrictions.

Iran head coach Emir Ghalenoei has repeatedly criticized the travel restrictions, saying his squad has faced challenges that no other team in the tournament has been required to endure.

After drawing 2-2 with New Zealand in its opening match at SoFi Stadium, Iran will play its final Group G match against Egypt in Seattle.

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Colombia’s de la Espriella claims narrow presidential victory in runoff election

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22/06/2026

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The first results from Colombia’s presidential runoff election showed that right-wing candidate Abelardo de la Espriella, backed by Donald Trump, had narrowly won the vote.

The victory of de la Espriella, who has no prior political experience, signals a fundamental shift in the government’s approach to tackling the country’s long-running internal armed conflict and rising violence.

Throughout the campaign, de la Espriella pledged to intensify military pressure on illegal armed groups, drug trafficking networks and criminal organizations. He succeeded in defeating left-wing candidate Iván Cepeda, a close ally of incumbent President Gustavo Petro.

Speaking after the initial results were released, de la Espriella said: “Today marks the beginning of a new era for our country. This era is built on the free and democratic will of millions of citizens who chose to believe in a great, secure, prosperous Colombia full of opportunities.”

Cepeda says he will await official results

According to the preliminary count, with more than 99% of ballots tallied in the runoff election, de la Espriella secured approximately 49.7% of the vote, while Cepeda received 48.7%.

Cepeda, who has not yet conceded defeat, said the preliminary results were neither official nor binding.

“When the official count is completed, the final results are known and the necessary verification procedures are finished, we will recognize the official outcome produced by that process,” Cepeda said.

Reuters reported that the verification process showed very little variation from the preliminary counts recorded during the first round of voting on May 31.

De la Espriella, who grew up in Colombia’s Caribbean region, drew particularly strong support from that part of the country. Addressing a large crowd gathered in the coastal city of Barranquilla after the first results emerged, de la Espriella, who has adopted the nickname “El Tigre” (The Tiger), declared: “Tonight is the beginning of a new story for the nation. Tonight a new era begins, a change of order begins.”

He said he would govern for all Colombians, including those who voted for his opponent, and pledged loyalty to and protection of Colombia’s 1991 constitution.

At celebrations in Barranquilla, supporters wore Colombia’s yellow national football jersey and waved Colombian flags.

With images of de la Espriella projected behind the stage, supporters chanted “Stand firm for the homeland” and “Petro out!” as fireworks lit the sky. Some supporters wore hats bearing the slogan “Make Colombia Great Again,” echoing those worn by supporters of US President Donald Trump.

Trump reacted to the results in a Truth Social post, writing: “BIG won!”

One supporter, Patricia, told reporters: “We are tired of the murders in this country and of this government’s bureaucracy. Now we finally have a president from the coastal region.”

Another supporter said: “We are proud of the Tiger. We hope he transforms the country and, above all, creates a new nation where we will have jobs and greater security.”

Supporters of Cepeda, who narrowly lost the election, also voiced concerns on the streets of Barranquilla.

Catalina La Grande, a student and activist who supports Cepeda, told the BBC: “There is a visible sense of unease in the air. Such a narrow margin worries us because it reflects how divided the country is and the enormous challenges we face in defending democracy, peace and human rights.”

Another young voter backing Cepeda, Maria, said the results showed a divided country but noted that the public had remained peaceful.

“Given the level of polarization we are experiencing, the absence of violence in the streets is a positive development,” she said.

The sharp divisions between the candidates have fueled concerns that unrest could emerge if some opposition groups refuse to accept the outcome.

Late on Sunday night, clashes were reported between protesters and police in Cali, Colombia’s third-largest city. Demonstrators reportedly burned US flags, while police used tear gas to disperse large crowds angered by de la Espriella’s victory.

President Gustavo Petro is also reported to be considering challenging the result. In a post on X, Petro said that based on the preliminary count, “no one can be declared president” and alleged that the security of some polling stations had been compromised. He called for an audit of the voting software but provided no evidence to support the claims.

Who is Abelardo de la Espriella?

De la Espriella, who has no political background, is a lawyer and businessman. During his legal career, he represented clients including Alex Saab, an ally of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro who has faced money laundering charges in the US, and David Murcia Guzman, one of Colombia’s most notorious fraudsters.

De la Espriella says he handled those cases in his capacity as a defense attorney.

Often compared to El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele because of his security policies and distinctive beard, de la Espriella and his supporters frequently wear Colombia’s national football jersey at rallies and on social media. Critics accuse him of politicizing the national team shirt.

He is also known for regularly addressing campaign crowds from behind bulletproof glass panels.

Colombia’s internal armed conflict has persisted for decades, but violence has intensified in recent years. Armed groups and criminal organizations, including dissident factions of the FARC, the ELN and the Clan del Golfo, have doubled their membership over the past five years.

Competition for control of lucrative cocaine trafficking routes and illegal mining operations has further escalated the violence. Fighting along the Colombia-Venezuela border last year displaced tens of thousands of people. Cocaine production in the world’s largest cocaine-producing country has reached record levels.

Critics of President Petro argue that his “total peace” strategy, which prioritizes negotiations with armed groups, has failed, claiming that such groups have used ceasefire arrangements to expand their territorial control and influence.

De la Espriella has pledged to cancel all negotiations with illegal armed groups and increase military pressure to restore order.

As part of that agenda, he has promised closer cooperation with the US, the construction of massive prisons in Colombia’s forests, a smaller state apparatus and reforms to the healthcare system.

Having lived and worked in Miami for many years, de la Espriella has held US citizenship since 2023. During the election campaign, he received support from Donald Trump, who said de la Espriella would “stop illegal migration, fight crime and drugs, and restore law and order.”

Before the election, Trump also said de la Espriella would feel “the full support and strength of the United States” behind him.

Although Colombia has historically been one of Washington’s closest allies in the region, relations have become strained in recent years due to sharp disagreements between President Trump and President Petro over migration policy, tariffs and military intervention in Latin America.

De la Espriella’s election also aligns with a broader trend across Latin America, where security concerns have pushed politics to the right. His victory was welcomed by other conservative leaders across the region.

Argentine President Javier Milei said Colombians had “chosen the path of economic freedom, prosperity and uncompromising security” and had declared that enough was enough to transnational organized crime and drug trafficking.

Chile’s José Antonio Kast said: “A new era of freedom is beginning for Colombia, one that will allow the country to regain security and prosperity.”

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