Abelardo de la Espriella cast his vote in Barranquilla on Sunday, June 21, 2026, and said he is confident in winning the presidency [1].
The outcome of this second-round election will determine the future direction of Colombia's government as the nation decides between competing ideological visions.
De la Espriella voted at the Colegio La Enseñanza in Barranquilla [2]. Following the act, the ultra-right candidate issued a message to supporters signaling his intent to defeat incumbent political forces [3]. He characterized the current political climate as a struggle against a regime, saying that he intends to defeat it with the help of God and the fervor of the Colombian people [4].
During his appearance, de la Espriella focused on the theme of democratic restoration. "Hoy gana la democracia," he said [5]. He further emphasized the need for a systemic change in leadership to move the country forward. "Tenemos que derrotar a la tiranía," he said [6].
The candidate's confidence is partly rooted in previous local performance. De la Espriella obtained 43% of the vote in the first round at the same voting point where he cast his ballot this Sunday [7]. This specific data point served as a focal point for his campaign's optimism during the second-round proceedings.
As the day progressed, de la Espriella maintained a positive outlook on the final tally. "Vamos a ganar," he said [8].
“"Hoy gana la democracia"”
The confidence expressed by Abelardo de la Espriella reflects a broader polarization within Colombia's political landscape. By framing the election as a battle against 'tyranny,' the candidate is positioning himself as a disruptive force against the established political order. His reliance on specific polling data from the first round suggests a strategy of leveraging regional strongholds to project a national image of inevitable victory.
