Colombia's Petro blasts Trump for supporting far-right 'drug trafficker' in upcoming election
Summary
Colombian President Gustavo Petro criticized US President Donald Trump for supporting Abelardo de la Espriella, a far-right candidate in Colombia's upcoming presidential election. Petro accused Trump of backing drug traffickers and interfering in Colombia’s political process by supporting a candidate linked to paramilitaries and drug trafficking.Key Facts
- Gustavo Petro is Colombia’s current president and cannot run again in the 2026 election.
- Abelardo de la Espriella is a hard-right candidate supported by President Trump.
- De la Espriella gained wealth defending drug traffickers, fraudsters, and soccer players.
- De la Espriella and leftist Senator Iván Cepeda will compete in a runoff election on June 21.
- Petro accused US allies, including Trump, of supporting paramilitary groups linked to drug trafficking and violence.
- Trump endorsed de la Espriella, praising his life achievements and political support for Trump.
- Former Colombian President Álvaro Uribe, accused of ties to paramilitaries, supports de la Espriella.
- Petro and Cepeda say paramilitary groups committed violence against left-wing activists, including Cepeda’s assassinated father.
- Petro regrets that those claiming to fight drug trafficking are enabling criminals to gain political power in Colombia.
- Trump previously imposed sanctions on Petro, labeling him a “drug leader” due to rising cocaine production.
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