US signals support for Colombia's president-elect Abelardo de la Espriella in Washington meeting

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Colombia's president-elect, Abelardo de la Espriella, in Washington, signaling the Trump administration's endorsement of the incoming Colombian government. The meeting, which included a protocolary photo opportunity at the State Department, underscored the U.S. administration's backing for the right-wing leader.

Restrepo, who is accompanying De la Espriella's economic team, is in Washington to foster closer relations with the Trump administration and to secure financial support from multilateral organizations like the World Bank. This visit aims to solidify international backing for the new Colombian leadership.

During the election campaign, Trump had publicly expressed his support for De la Espriella, who defeated leftist candidate Iván Cepeda. De la Espriella is set to assume the presidency on August 7, succeeding Gustavo Petro. Petro has reportedly not acknowledged his election victory and has maintained a tense relationship with the Trump administration.

In recent years, the U.S. removed Colombia from a list of countries cooperating in the fight against drug trafficking. The administration also sanctioned Petro, citing increased cocaine production and alleged links to drug trafficking, accusations that the outgoing president has denied.

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By instruction of President-elect @ABDELAESPRIELLA, one of the most important meetings of La Patria Milagro in Washington was the meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.