U.S.-led Americas' Shield demands respect for Colombia election results

The United States, alongside 12 other nations in the Shield of the Americas initiative, has issued a strong call for respect of Colombia's official election results. The group warned that any attempt to delegitimize the electoral process or obstruct the government's transition would disregard the popular will.

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any attempt to delegitimize the electoral process or to obstruct the government transition constitutes a disregard for the popular will.

Shared by the U.S. Department of State and co-signed by Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guyana, Honduras, Panama, and Trinidad and Tobago, the statement voiced "deep concern" over declarations and actions that, "without properly justified grounds," cast doubt on the integrity of the election. The signatories rejected any move to discredit electoral authorities, ignore the mandate granted by citizens, or impede the handover between governments.

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deep concern over declarations and actions that, without properly justified grounds, cast doubt on the integrity of the electoral process and generate uncertainty about the institutional transition in Colombia.

The alliance of right-wing governments made this pronouncement following claims of fraud by the then-president-elect, Abelardo de la Espriella, who alleged a "coup d'état" by the officialist candidate, Iván Cepeda, and President Gustavo Petro. De la Espriella, who was publicly backed by Donald Trump, asserted that Petro and Cepeda planned to "cling to power at all costs." However, Petro later reaffirmed his commitment to democracy and a peaceful transition to Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, stating he would leave office on August 6.

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reject any action or decision that seeks to discredit electoral authorities, ignore the mandate granted by citizens, or obstruct the process of transition between governments.

De la Espriella was proclaimed president-elect after securing approximately 52% of the vote in the June 21 runoff against Cepeda, according to official results. He is set to assume office on August 7 for a four-year term. The Shield of the Americas initiative aims to promote democratic values and stability in the region.

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reaffirmed his commitment to democracy and to a peaceful transition in the country.