00:00Colombia's presidential frontrunner, Abelardo de la Esprit, has promised much closer ties with the United States
00:07after receiving the backing of U.S. President Donald Trump.
00:10The hard-right candidate emerged as the surprise winner of the first round of Colombia's presidential election,
00:17securing nearly 44% of the vote.
00:22De la Esprit, a millionaire lawyer who has never held elected office,
00:26said relations with Washington would be like never before.
00:30If he defeats leftist Senator Ivan Cepeda in the June 21st runoff election,
00:35Trump described the results as very important for Colombia's future relationship with the United States.
00:42De la Esprit has campaigned on a tough-on-crime platform,
00:45promising a crackdown on armed groups and the construction of 10 mega prisons.
00:51He says he and Trump share the same values on democracy, freedom and the rule of law.
00:56Meanwhile, outgoing President Gustavo Petro, who has had tense relations with Trump,
01:01criticised the endorsement, accusing the U.S. President of interfering in Colombia's affairs.
01:06This is the process of presenting the Gruppe of Almeida Cepeda...
01:09...
01:09...
01:09...
01:09...
Comments