Abelardo de la Espriella has pledged closer cooperation with the U.S. and to crack down on organized crime.

Tough-on-crime outsider Aberaldo de la Espriella took the lead in Colombia’s presidential race in the first round of voting Sunday night, setting up a runoff with Iván Cepeda, an ally of Colombia’s outgoing President Gustavo Petro who questioned the results of the election.

Whether Abelardo de la Espriella or Iván Cepeda wins in June could have significant implications for U.S.-Colombia ties.

The election is held after months of public recrimination between current left-wing President Gustavo Petro and his US counterpart Donald Trump.

The Democrats have already taken a hit in the polls even two years before the 2028 presidential election. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has gained significant support compared to the previous poll and is now virtually tied with presumptive GOP nominee JD Vance at 35%,

It had to be his decision alone because he had to live with that decision the rest of his life,” she told TODAY.