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Colombian President-elect Suspends Transition as Outgoing Leader Alleges Fraud

HeadlineJul 08, 2026

In Colombia, President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella has suspended the transition process with outgoing Colombian President Gustavo Petro after Petro accused the right-wing candidate of fraud in the June runoff election. Leftist candidate Iván Cepeda has also expressed concerns of fraud and accused Espriella, who has dual U.S. and Colombian citizenship, of working for the Trump administration.

Iván Cepeda: “The U.S. authorities must clarify whether Mr. Abelardo de la Espriella has been or is an agent or collaborator of the DEA, the CIA or any other U.S. security agency. This status would call into question his suitability to be the Colombian head of state, guarantor of our sovereignty and, of course, guardian of the political constitution.”

Cepeda narrowly lost the election to Espriella, who is backed by President Donald Trump. Cepeda has urged supporters to engage in civil disobedience to pressure Espriella to renounce his U.S. citizenship and stop the persecution of his opponents. 

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