Colombia’s election was overshadowed by shocking videos showing armed communist guerrillas forcing frightened civilians onto buses and into polling places in rural areas. According to the reports and footage circulated on Sunday, the voters were allegedly compelled at gunpoint to support left-wing candidate Ivan Sepda as part of an organized attempt to manipulate the result. The material has been described as one of the worst attacks on electoral integrity the country has seen in years.
Despite the intimidation campaign, Abelardo de la Espriella, nicknamed “the Tiger,” won the presidency with 49.66% of the vote. De la Espriella is a lawyer and businessman identified with the nationalist right. He said in his victory speech that the images of civilians being taken to vote with guns pointed at them were exactly why he had been elected.
His celebrations in the city of Barranquilla were heavily guarded. Videos from the night showed him and his vice president sealed inside an armored vehicle, waving to supporters through reinforced windows rather than mingling with the crowd. Security personnel said he was barred from leaving the vehicle or making direct contact because of a real and immediate risk of assassination from the same communist terrorists who had tried to disrupt the election.
De la Espriella promised a hard security agenda, including building 10 massive prisons for guerrillas and criminals, ending all peace efforts with armed groups, and shifting to a direct military offensive. He also pledged to revive the economy by doubling oil production and making deep cuts to the public sector.
