Electoral authorities on Wednesday officially confirmed de la Espriella’s victory after completing a recount of votes cast in Sunday’s election. The businessman and lawyer defeated progressive candidate Iván Cepeda by roughly one percentage point, a margin of more than 251,000 votes.

The outcome represents a setback for the political movement associated with outgoing President Gustavo Petro, whose administration pursued ambitious social reforms and sought negotiations with multiple armed groups as part of a broader peace strategy.

Recount Confirms Election Outcome

Election authorities released nearly complete vote totals shortly after polls closed on Sunday, showing de la Espriella in the lead.

Both Petro and Cepeda initially declined to accept the preliminary results, with Cepeda stating he would await the completion of a recount before recognizing the outcome.

Following the final review of ballots, electoral officials formally declared de la Espriella the winner of the contest. Cepeda later conceded defeat and acknowledged the result.

In a nationally televised address, the progressive lawmaker said he would serve as a democratic opposition figure and fulfill the responsibilities associated with the Senate seat reserved for the runner-up in Colombia’s presidential election.

“We assume with serenity, responsibility and absolute resolve — and let there be no doubt about it — the role that circumstances demand of us,” Cepeda said. “We will exercise a democratic, vigilant and constructive opposition.”

Outsider Campaign Resonated With Voters

De la Espriella, 47, enters office without prior experience in elected government, joining a growing number of political outsiders who have risen to power in countries facing economic, security and governance challenges.

Known as a lawyer and entrepreneur, he built a business portfolio that includes fashion, hospitality and beverage ventures before launching his presidential campaign.

Throughout the race, he positioned himself as an alternative to Colombia’s traditional political establishment and campaigned on promises to strengthen public security.

His proposals included adopting tougher anti-crime measures inspired by policies implemented by Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele. Supporters point to reductions in violence in El Salvador, while critics have raised concerns about civil liberties and human rights protections.

Focus Shifts to Transition of Power

De la Espriella is scheduled to take office on Aug. 7 for a four-year term.

In a statement released Wednesday, his campaign said the incoming administration would seek national unity and govern on behalf of all Colombians.

The statement also pledged respect for democratic institutions, political opposition and peaceful public demonstrations conducted within constitutional and legal frameworks.

A day earlier, the president-elect announced that work had begun on forming his cabinet and preparing the transition to government.

He also indicated that Colombia could join the so-called “Shield of the Americas,” an initiative promoted by U.S. President Donald Trump and described as a regional effort aimed at combating organized crime across Latin America.

Historic Voter Participation

More than 26 million Colombians cast ballots in the runoff election, setting a record for participation in a presidential second round.

The election also reflected voter frustration with the two main candidates. More than 426,000 voters selected an alternative ballot option that allows citizens to reject both contenders, while approximately 29,000 submitted blank ballots.

The high turnout underscored the importance of the contest and highlighted the deep divisions surrounding Colombia’s future direction on security, governance and economic policy.

As the transition begins, de la Espriella faces the challenge of translating campaign promises into policy while addressing persistent concerns over violence, economic pressures and political polarization.

Tags: Colombia, Abelardo de la Espriella, Iván Cepeda, Gustavo Petro, Colombian Election, Presidential Runoff, Latin America, Donald Trump, Nayib Bukele, Colombian Politics, Security Policy, Bogotá

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El Salvador’s controversial mega-prison, a symbol of President Nayib Bukele’s harsh anti-crime policies, has now become a tool in U.S. President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown. On Sunday, hundreds of immigrants—alleged by the U.S. to be members of the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang—were transferred to the facility under a $6 million agreement between the two governments.

What is the CECOT?

The Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) was built at Bukele’s direction as part of his aggressive crackdown on gangs. Opened in 2023, the prison is located in Tecoluca, about 72 kilometers (45 miles) east of El Salvador’s capital.

CECOT is a massive facility with eight pavilions, capable of holding up to 40,000 inmates. Each cell is designed to fit between 65 to 70 prisoners. Unlike traditional prisons, CECOT does not allow visitations, outdoor recreation, or educational programs.

Prisoners at CECOT are not prepared for reintegration into society. Occasionally, a select few inmates—who have gained trust from prison officials—deliver motivational talks, with prisoners sitting in rows outside their cells or performing supervised exercises.

Bukele’s justice minister has stated that inmates at CECOT will never return to their communities. The prison’s amenities, including dining halls, break rooms, and a gym, are reserved exclusively for the guards.

How Many Prisoners Does El Salvador Hold?

The Salvadoran government does not frequently update incarceration figures. However, the human rights organization Cristosal reported that as of March 2024, El Salvador held approximately 110,000 people behind bars—more than double the 36,000 inmates recorded in April 2021 before Bukele intensified his anti-gang efforts.

Cristosal and other advocacy groups have raised concerns about human rights abuses. Reports indicate that at least 261 people have died in El Salvador’s prisons since the gang crackdown began. Allegations of abuse, torture, and lack of medical care have also been cited.

Government-released videos have shown CECOT prisoners in boxer shorts, forced to march in formation and sit shoulder-to-shoulder in overcrowded areas. Cells reportedly lack adequate bunks, leaving many inmates to sleep on the floor.

Why Were Immigrants Sent to CECOT?

The transfer of these immigrants to CECOT follows Trump’s invocation of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, a law historically used only three times. The act grants the president extraordinary powers to detain or remove foreigners under wartime conditions. Trump argued that the Tren de Aragua gang was invading the U.S., justifying the deportations under wartime authority.

Tren de Aragua, a criminal organization that originated in Venezuela’s lawless prison system, expanded as millions of Venezuelans fled economic collapse. However, the Trump administration has not provided evidence that the deported migrants are actual gang members or that they committed crimes in the U.S.

El Salvador’s government released a video showing the immigrants arriving at an airport, escorted by officers in riot gear. Shackled at the hands and ankles, they were seen struggling to walk as officers forced them to bend at the waist. The footage later showed them being transported in a heavily guarded convoy to CECOT, where they were shaved, dressed in the prison’s all-white uniform, and placed into cells.

The Bigger Picture

El Salvador’s tough-on-crime approach has drawn both praise and criticism. While Bukele’s policies have significantly reduced gang-related violence, human rights organizations warn of potential abuses, mass incarcerations without due process, and inhumane prison conditions.

Trump’s decision to deport immigrants to CECOT raises further ethical and legal concerns. Critics argue that using such a facility for immigration enforcement—without clear evidence of criminal activity—sets a dangerous precedent. As the situation unfolds, the global community will be watching closely to see how both administrations handle the consequences of this unprecedented move.

Source: AP News – What to know about El Salvador’s mega-prison after Trump sent hundreds of immigrants there

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The Trump administration has confirmed the deportation of hundreds of individuals after President Donald Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act, a rarely used wartime authority. This move, aimed at accelerating the deportation of alleged criminals associated with the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, comes despite a federal judge’s order temporarily blocking its use.

Federal Court Blocks Deportations, But Flights Continue

On Saturday evening, a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order blocking the administration from using the Alien Enemies Act. The judge also ordered planes carrying some of the deported migrants to return to the U.S. The restraining order will remain in effect for 14 days or until further notice.

However, the administration proceeded with the deportations. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that nearly 300 members of Tren de Aragua were arrested over the weekend. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed on Sunday that hundreds of violent criminals had already been deported before the court’s ruling took effect.

El Salvador’s Role in Housing Deported Criminals

Rubio also thanked El Salvador’s President, Nayib Bukele, for agreeing to imprison the deported individuals. He noted that Bukele had requested the return of two MS-13 gang leaders and 21 Salvadoran nationals held in the U.S. to face justice in their homeland.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Rubio announced that the U.S. had deported:

• Two top MS-13 leaders
• 21 high-priority criminals
• Over 250 members of Tren de Aragua to El Salvador.

Bukele later confirmed the arrival of the deportees and their transfer to CECOT, the Terrorism Confinement Center, where they will be detained for one year. Sharing a video of the handcuffed prisoners, Bukele mocked the U.S. court’s decision, posting “oopsie…too late.” Rubio reshared the post.

Legal & Political Fallout

Despite the court’s ruling, the timeline of deportation flights remains unclear. CNN has reached out to the State Department and White House for further details on when the planes departed.

Republican Senator Mike Rounds defended the administration, stating on CNN’s State of the Union that he expects the executive branch to “follow the law.” However, when pressed on whether the administration may have violated the court order, he responded, “We don’t know if that happened that way.”

Rounds expressed support for using every legal tool to deport alleged criminals, adding, “Most Americans will say, ‘I don’t care how old the law is. If you can use it to get these guys out and keep my family safe, we’re going to do it.’”

Democratic Response & Concerns

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries criticized the Trump administration’s aggressive deportation strategy, warning of its potential consequences.

“All of us within the Democratic Party oppose illegal immigration. We believe that if you’re a violent felon, you should be deported. But we also can’t go down this road that the Trump administration is taking us on—potentially deporting American citizens, lawful permanent residents, and breaking up law-abiding immigrant families who contribute to this country,” Jeffries stated.

Jeffries emphasized the need for comprehensive immigration reform instead of what he described as Trump’s extreme measures.

Erik Prince’s Alleged Role in Deportation Agreements

CNN previously reported that Erik Prince, a Trump ally and founder of the private military company Blackwater, had been in contact with Bukele since last year regarding accepting undocumented migrants from the U.S. in the event of a Trump presidency.

What’s Next?

As legal battles continue, the Trump administration remains defiant, pressing forward with its deportation policies. Meanwhile, the court ruling temporarily halting the use of the Alien Enemies Act is set to expire in 14 days, leaving the next steps uncertain.

The controversy underscores the broader debate on immigration enforcement, executive power, and the role of international cooperation in managing migration and crime. With political and legal challenges mounting, this issue is far from over.

Source: CNN – Trump administration deports hundreds under Alien Enemies Act despite judge’s pause

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