Colombia Rejects Argentine President's Support for Presidential Candidate

The Colombian government has formally rejected public endorsements made by Argentine President Javier Milei regarding the upcoming presidential election runoff, deeming such interventions improper and a violation of international norms. The criticism stems from Milei's public declarations of support for Abelardo De la Espriella, who is competing against the leftist Iván Cepeda in the second round of the presidential elections.

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The government of Colombia considers that any manifestation of support, rejection, pressure, or intervention by a foreign authority aimed at favoring or harming any of the participating candidacies or campaigns constitutes an improper action in a matter that exclusively concerns the Colombian people.

Colombia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement emphasizing that any expression of support, rejection, pressure, or intervention by a foreign authority aimed at influencing electoral candidacies is inappropriate for matters that exclusively concern the Colombian people. The ministry stressed that such pronouncements disregard the duty of prudence, responsibility, and mutual respect that should govern relations between states, particularly during electoral processes.

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This type of pronouncement disregards the duty of prudence, responsibility, and mutual respect that should guide relations between States, especially during an electoral process.

De la Espriella, representing the far-right movement Defensores de la Patria, had shared details of a phone conversation with Milei, who expressed his backing and congratulated him on his first-round performance. De la Espriella stated that a victory would lead to an "unbeatable relationship" with Argentina. Milei's endorsement, shared via social media, highlighted shared beliefs in "more freedom, more security, more trade, and zero tolerance for crime."

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I am convinced that a Lion in Argentina and a Tiger in Colombia can help build a stronger, freer Latin America with more...

The Colombian Foreign Ministry further noted that the principle of non-intervention is a cornerstone of the international legal order. It indicated that it had presented a diplomatic note of protest regarding the matter, citing that Milei's recent statements disregarded a prior call from the Colombian executive for all international actors to act with prudence and responsibility. De la Espriella has also received support from other international right-wing figures, including former U.S. President Donald Trump.

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All my support for @ABDELAESPRIELLA for the ballotage on June 21...!!! We spoke today by phone and agreed on something fundamental: this is Colombia's moment. The path is clear, more economic freedom, more security, more trade and zero tolerance for crime…