The Colombia presidential election has delivered a dramatic upset, as conservative outsider Abelardo de la Espriella, a millionaire businessman with no prior political experience, was declared the country’s next president on Wednesday. Electoral authorities confirmed his victory in Sunday’s runoff after completing a recount, capping a polarizing contest that drew record turnout.

An Outsider Backed by Trump

De la Espriella is anything but a traditional politician. A lawyer and businessman, his ventures span a clothing line, wine and rum brands, and even a restaurant. Despite never having run for office before, he earned the endorsement of U.S. President Donald Trump.

In the runoff, he edged out progressive lawmaker Iván Cepeda by a single percentage point, a margin of more than 251,000 votes. The narrow but decisive result handed Colombia to the political newcomer who has branded himself the representative of “the never-before-seen.”

A Rebuke of the Outgoing Government

The outcome amounted to a sharp rejection of outgoing President Gustavo Petro’s administration. Cepeda had campaigned on continuing Petro’s policies, including a largely unsuccessful effort to open dialogue with multiple armed groups.

That agenda apparently failed to reassure voters, many of whom were anxious about the prospect of renewed internal conflict. De la Espriella’s win places Colombia on a growing list of nations turning to political outsiders in hopes of solving complex security, social, and economic problems.

A Hardline Security Vision

Central to de la Espriella’s appeal was his promise to crack down hard on violent crime. He pledged to borrow heavily from the playbook of Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, including the construction of mega-prisons.

Those tactics have sharply reduced homicide rates in El Salvador, but they have also drawn widespread accusations of human rights abuses. The approach signals a significant shift in how Colombia may confront its security challenges in the years ahead.

A Contested Count and a Concession

The path to certifying the result wasn’t entirely smooth. Electoral authorities published nearly all of the vote count within hours of polls closing on Sunday, but both Petro and Cepeda initially declined to accept those numbers. Cepeda said he would wait for a recount before conceding.

Once authorities completed that recount, they declared de la Espriella the winner. Earlier Wednesday, Cepeda formally conceded and accepted a Senate seat reserved for the presidential runner-up.

In an address to the nation, Cepeda struck a measured tone, vowing to take up his new role with what he called serenity, responsibility, and resolve. He promised to serve as a democratic, vigilant, and constructive opposition.

Promises of Unity and New Alliances

De la Espriella’s campaign sought to project a unifying message. In a statement, it said his purpose was to work for national unity, with and for the people, and pledged a commitment to protecting the right to political opposition and peaceful protest within the bounds of the constitution and the law.

The president-elect has wasted little time preparing to govern. A day before his victory was certified, he announced he was assembling his cabinet. He also revealed plans to bring Colombia into the Trump-dubbed “Shield of the Americas,” a coalition of countries aimed at cracking down on criminal organizations across Latin America.

A Record-Setting Vote

The runoff captured intense national attention, drawing more than 26 million voters and setting a historic turnout record. The ballot also reflected deep ambivalence among some Colombians. More than 426,000 people chose a third option allowing voters to reject both candidates, while about 29,000 cast blank ballots.

As de la Espriella prepares to take office, Colombia stands at a crossroads. His promised hardline security policies, outsider status, and close alignment with Trump signal a sharp departure from the outgoing government, leaving the country to navigate both the hopes and the uncertainties that come with handing power to a political newcomer.