A far-right populist candidate backed by US President Donald Trump is celebrating an early lead in Colombia's preliminary presidential runoff count, in a race that has been razor-tight from the start.
The candidate's rise has been closely watched as a potential signal of shifting political currents across Latin America, where several countries have seen a resurgence of right-leaning populist movements in recent election cycles. Supporters have framed the campaign around promises of tougher security policy and closer alignment with Washington.
Final results are still being confirmed, and opposition figures have signaled they will scrutinize the count closely given how narrow the margin has been throughout the campaign. Regional analysts say a win would mark a significant realignment for Colombia, historically one of the more stable democracies in the region.
The outcome is expected to have ripple effects on regional trade and security cooperation, with neighboring governments watching closely for signs of policy shifts once a winner is formally declared.