President Donald Trump endorsed Colombian presidential candidate Abelardo de la Esprienda for the second round of the presidential election on June 3, 2026 [1].

The move represents a significant intervention by the U.S. executive in a foreign election, signaling a preference for a leadership style that Trump believes will improve bilateral relations between Washington and Bogota.

Trump announced his support via a post on Truth Social from Washington, D.C. [1, 2]. In the post, he said, "I fully support Abelardo de la Esprienda for the second round of the Colombian presidential election" [3].

Trump praised the candidate's personal qualities and leadership capabilities. He said, "Abelardo de la Esprienda es un líder inteligente, fuerte y firme," describing him as an intelligent, strong, and firm leader [4, 5]. The U.S. president said that the election of de la Esprienda would benefit the relationship between the United States and Colombia [5].

De la Esprienda responded to the endorsement by acknowledging the impact on his political momentum. He said, "Thank you, President Trump, for your endorsement. It strengthens our campaign" [6].

The endorsement comes as Colombia prepares for the final stage of its presidential contest. Trump's public backing of a specific candidate in the second round is a direct signal of the ideological alignment he seeks in Latin American partners, focusing on strength and firmness in governance [4, 5].

“"I fully support Abelardo de la Esprienda for the second round of the Colombian presidential election."”

This endorsement marks a shift toward more overt U.S. involvement in the electoral processes of regional allies. By prioritizing a 'strong and firm' leader, the Trump administration is signaling that its diplomatic and security partnerships in South America will be contingent on ideological alignment and a perceived willingness to maintain assertive governance.