The National Electoral Council (CNE) has officially completed the tally of the presidential runoff, formally declaring Abelardo de la Espriella as Colombia’s president-elect for the 2026-2030 term.
The final announcement was unlocked after the Historic Pact, the coalition of his rival Iván Cepeda, withdrew over 50,000 challenges to the initial preliminary count, clearing the way for the institutional recognition of the new president.
Final National Tally Results
The tally process confirmed the preliminary count figures with 99.9% accuracy, solidifying one of the closest elections in the country’s recent history:
| Candidate / Option | Total Votes | Percentage (%) |
| Abelardo de la Espriella (Defenders of the Homeland) | 12,959,542 | 49.66% |
| Iván Cepeda Castro (Historic Pact) | 12,708,712 | 48.70% |
| Blank Vote | 426,848 | 1.63% |
| Null/Unmarked Votes | 220,763 | — |
Victory Margin: The official difference was set at 250,830 votes, a margin of less than 1% that initially caused tensions but was ultimately accepted by all political forces. The overseas vote was key in consolidating the president-elect’s lead, where he secured 390,974 votes compared to Cepeda’s 213,131.
First Actions and Transition of Power
With the CNE’s certification, the protocol for the government transition at the Casa de Nariño is now officially activated:
- Credential Presentation: The official ceremony where the CNE will present the President-Elect credential to De la Espriella is scheduled in Bogotá.
- Transition Kickoff: Outgoing President Gustavo Petro publicly acknowledged the CNE’s final results and announced the immediate start of technical transition meetings, stating he will step aside to lead a “peaceful resistance.”
- International Alignment: De la Espriella has already outlined his first moves in foreign policy. He announced that starting with his inauguration on August 7, Colombia will join the “Shield of the Americas,” the regional alliance promoted by Donald Trump. He also signaled his intention to immediately restore diplomatic, trade, and security ties with the State of Israel.
- Congressional Governability: The Democratic Center party has officially declared itself the government caucus to support the legislative agenda for the first 100 days, which includes a package of 90 decrees focused on comprehensive security and liberal economic reforms.
Image: ElHispanoParaTodos/PRESS
