Trump supports ‘El Tigre’ in the presidential election in Colombia

As Colombia heads to a crucial presidential election on Sunday, outsider Abelardo de la Espriella is riding a wave of voter frustration over crime, corporations and economic uncertainty.

His rise comes as outgoing President Gustavo Petro faces growing political turmoil, making the election a bitter battle over the future of one of America’s key allies in Latin America.

De le Espriella’s campaign is built on a platform of law and order, fighting the cartel and repairing US-Colombia relations as he faces left-wing politician Iván Cepeda in the presidential election. Cepeda is from Petro’s social group.

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In a region increasingly defined by larger-than-life political pundits, de la Espriella is known around the world as “El Tigre,” and has turned his nickname into a political movement. Campaign rallies include tiger images, merchandise and slogans built on strength and fearlessness.

He has openly welcomed comparisons with President Trump, portraying himself as a political outsider willing to confront entrenched bureaucrats, challenge persistent orthodoxies and restore what supporters describe as strength and order in government.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro delivers a speech during a ceremony honoring soldiers at the Jose Maria Cordova Military Cadet School in Bogota on March 11, 2025. (Raul Arboleda/AFP via Getty Images)

Earlier this week Trump approved saying in part on social media: “El Tigre (THE TIGER), “El Tigre (THE TIGER),” Abelardo de la Espriella, is a Smart, Strong, and Strong Leader, who fights tirelessly, and loves, His Great Country and People, just as I fight for the United States of America.”

Trump added, “Because of his great achievements in life, and his political support, it is my honor to give Abelardo my Full and Complete Endorsement. GET OUT AND VOTE FOR “EL TIGRE” ABELARDO DE LA ESPRIELLA — HE WILL NOT LET THE WONDERFUL PEOPLE OF COLOMBIA get too high!”

President Donald Trump, left, waves as he greets El Salvador President Nayib Bukele as Bukele arrives at the White House, Monday, April 14, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

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Besides the Trump comparison, he was also compared to the President of El Salvador, Bukele. Like Bukele, he has made a political name for himself by intensifying, disrupting and public frustration with crime. His campaign rhetoric often emphasizes restoring the authority of the state and defeating criminal organizations through the use of force.

Petro’s counterpart, Iván Cepeda, promised to continue the administration’s social and economic agenda while expanding talks with armed groups.

Cepeda’s campaign did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment on his campaign and hopes for the state.

Colombian presidential candidate Ivan Cepeda, of the Pacto Historico party, speaks to supporters during his last campaign rally in Barranquilla, Atlantico department, Colombia on May 24, 2026. (Vanessa Romero/AFP via Getty Images)

Carlos Chacón, executive director of the Instituto de Ciencia Política (ICP), a think tank in Colombia told Fox News Digital, “Colombia is divided between two models and two ideologies: the leftist model, which wants to increase state intervention in the economy, a model that has already been proven to cause financial deficits and economic problems; a model that prioritizes network security and strengthening the criminal network throughout the country; and, above all, a model whose political goal is to change the Constitution.”

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Chacón said the difference between the two candidates is clear, saying that Abelardo’s model “favors free enterprise and seeks to guarantee security, restore territorial control, reduce the state, renew strategic sectors, and adjust international relations, to be implemented entirely within the framework of the 1991 Constitution.” He added, “Abelardo never talked about changing the constitutional model to an executive one, as happened with the system proposed by Petro Cepeda.”

Colombian President Abelardo De La Espriella of the political organization Defenders of the Homeland reacts after the results of the first round of presidential elections, in Barranquilla, Colombia May 31, 2026. (Sergio Acero/Reuters)

One of the recurring themes of de la Espriella’s campaign was rebuilding closer ties with Washington and pursuing a more aggressive security partnership against drug trafficking and armed groups. He advocated US-backed operations against narco-terrorist camps and stronger bilateral cooperation on security issues.

De la Espriella’s rise comes at a time when the outgoing President of Colombia, Petro, is facing controversy over allegations of improper involvement in the country’s presidential election. The head of Colombia’s investigative commission has recommended the suspension of President Petro while authorities investigate allegations that he improperly intervened in the presidential campaign on behalf of his political party.

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A supporter of Colombia’s presidential candidate for the Defensores de la Patria party, Abelardo de la Espriella, takes a selfie as he waits to arrive at his final campaign rally in Barranquilla, Colombia, May 23, 2026. Colombia will hold presidential elections on May 31. (Vanessa Romero/AFP via Getty Images)

The proposal has sparked heated debate across Colombia, with supporters describing it as self-defense and critics saying it goes beyond constitutional authority. Petro denied that he did anything wrong and still holds office.

The outcome of this election will help determine not only the future of Colombia’s security strategy, but also the trajectory of one of Washington’s most important partners in the Western Hemisphere.