The Global Story - Could Trump-backed ‘El Tigre’ become the next president of Colombia?
Download Could Trump-backed ‘El Tigre’ become the next president of Colombia?
On Sunday, Colombia will elect a new president. A Trump-endorsed outsider, Abelardo de la Espriella, nicknamed ‘The Tiger,’ is now ahead in the polls, and within striking distance of the presidency. His platform promises a military crackdown on narcoterrorism and closer collaboration with the United States.
Many Latin American nations have shifted to the right in recent elections, and the Colombia vote is seen as a crucial litmus test for the wider region’s political landscape. Could Colombia be the next country in Latin America take a hard turn to the right? And how might that benefit President Donald Trump? We speak to BBC South America correspondent, Ione Wells.
Producers: Viv Jones and Xandra Ellin
Executive producer: Bridget Harney
Mix: Travis Evans
Video producer: Matt Pintus
Senior news editor: China Collins
Phto: Colombian right-wing presidential candidate Abelardo De La Espriella. REUTERS/Cesar Quiroz
Published on Thursday, 18th June 2026.
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