A group of 20 U.S. House members, including Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), issued a statement Friday condemning what they described as efforts by U.S. officials to influence Colombia’s presidential election, specifically targeting far-right candidate Abelardo de la Espriella. The statement emphasized that “the future of Colombia must be decided solely by the Colombian people,” citing concerns over “interference in foreign elections” by U.S. leaders like former President Donald Trump.
The lawmakers, spanning progressive and moderate factions, criticized Trump’s public support for de la Espriella, who advanced to Colombia’s June 21 presidential runoff after securing 43.7% of the vote in the first round. De la Espriella’s campaign has drawn scrutiny for ties to far-right figures in Latin America, including Argentine President Javier Milei and Chilean politician José Antonio Kast, according to multiple reports. The statement called such alliances “inconsistent with U.S. principles of non-intervention.”
De la Espriella, a 47-year-old criminal defense attorney, has faced accusations of representing high-profile clients linked to drug trafficking and financial crimes. His legal work included defending Alex Saab, a Venezuelan businessman indicted in the U.S. for money laundering and later pardoned by the Biden administration in 2023 as part of a prisoner exchange. Saab, who was detained in the U.S. in 2021, is accused of laundering billions for former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, according to U.S. prosecutors.
The congress members’ statement also highlighted de la Espriella’s 2024 collaboration with Spanish far-right leader Santiago Abascal, co-authoring the “Carta de Madrid” to align with Vox’s anti-left rhetoric. The document, obtained by Colombian media, frames de la Espriella’s platform as part of a broader “cultural and political battle” against “narcocommunism” linked to leftist groups like the Foro de São Paulo. Abascal, leader of Spain’s Vox party, has previously criticized Latin American leftist governments and advocated for restrictive immigration policies.
The U.S. lawmakers’ remarks come as de la Espriella’s runoff opponent, progressive candidate Iván Cepeda, faces mounting pressure. Cepeda, who garnered 40.9% of the first-round votes, has accused de la Espriella’s allies of “fomenting division” through inflammatory rhetoric. Meanwhile, Colombian opposition groups have called for a no-confidence vote against the administration of President Gustavo Petro, alleging that his government has failed to address security concerns in the country’s rural regions.
The statement from the U.S. congress members does not explicitly endorse either candidate but underscores the lawmakers’ belief that “the people of Colombia must determine their own future.” The group included Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), a vocal critic of U.S. intervention in Latin America, and Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.), who has previously advocated for stronger ties with Latin American democracies. The declaration was signed ahead of the June 21 runoff, with no immediate response from the Biden administration.
