Trump-backed de la Espriella holds razor-thin lead in Colombia’s election as rival challenges vote

BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Political outsider Abelardo de la Espriella held a razor-thin lead in Colombia’s presidential election with nearly all the votes counted Sunday, in a runoff vote marked by people’s fears of a renewed internal conflict.

A victory by de la Espriella would effectively be an indictment of the policies of outgoing President Gustavo Petro, whose protégé had promised to continue his agenda if he defeated his rival.

De la Espriella, a business owner and lawyer who earned U.S. President Donald Trump’s endorsement despite never having run for office, led progressive lawmaker Iván Cepeda taking 49.7% of the votes, with 99.9% complete results released by electoral authorities. Cepeda, Petro’s ally, earned 48.7% support. Election officials have not formally announced a winner.

Cepeda said his team will challenge results from more than 30,000 voting stations; Petro also vowed to challenge the outcome.

No recount has flipped the results of a presidential election in Colombian history.

People in the streets of Bogota yelled “Petro out! Petro out!” and honked car horns.

Both candidates pitched voters widely different strategies to pre...