A political neophyte who garnered President Donald Trump's support won a narrow victory in Colombia's presidential race, but his opponent has vowed to challenge the results.
The Associated Press reported that Abelardo de la Espriella, a businessman and lawyer with no political experience, clinched a narrow victory over Iván Cepeda, who has been described as a progressive lawmaker and an ally of current president Gustavo Petro.
With 99.9 percent of votes counted, De la Espriella led with 49.7 percent of the vote to Cepeda's 48.7 percent, the AP noted.
De la Espriella, 47, has vowed to reverse the policies of Petro, including taking an aggressive approach to fighting crime and ending negotiations with armed, rebellious groups. Cepeda, 63, has promised to continue Petro's policies, including the implementation of social reforms.
Trump has previously called De la Espriella "a Smart, Strong, and Tough Leader, who fights tirelessly for, and loves, his Great Country and People, just like I do for the United States of America."
In the aftermath of the results, Trump wrote, "He Won, BIG!" Other world leaders also congratulated him.
Cepeda has said that he will challenge the outcome of the close election, the AP noted. He said "We will not allow ... the rollback of the social gains we have achieved. We will not allow democracy to be violated."
Petro was the nation's first leftist president. Cepeda was running on the continuation of his presidency that included pension payments for the poor, labor reforms, and a pause on new oil projects.
He also planned to continue talks with the armed groups that roam Colombia's jungles.
De La Espriella ran on a platform that attacked Petro's policies as causing economic hardship and emboldening criminals and the armed groups.
"I will govern for all Colombians, for those who voted for me and for those who chose the other candidate," De La Espriella said when declaring victory.
