Progressive candidate concedes Colombian presidential election to Trump-endorsed outsider

BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Progressive candidate Iván Cepeda on Wednesday conceded Colombia’s presidential election to Abelardo de la Espriella, a conservative outsider who was endorsed by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Election results showed de la Espriella, a businessman and lawyer who had never run for office, defeated Cepeda, a lawmaker, by 1 percentage point, or nearly 251,000 votes.

“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 in an address to the nation. “We will exercise a democratic, vigilant and constructive opposition.”

The result effectively was an indictment of outgoing President Gustavo Petro’s government, whose policies Cepeda had promised to continue, including a largely failed effort to establish dialogue with multiple armed groups under a plan known as “total peace.”

Electoral authorities published all but a fraction of the vote count hours after polls closed Sunday. Petro and Cepeda did not accept those results, with the latter saying he would wait for a recount to do so.

De la Espriella, 47, will begin a 4-year term Aug. 7. His campaign did not immediately comment on Cepeda's concession. He proclaimed himself the winner Sunday and asked Cepeda and Petro to accept the results.

His victory adds Colombia to a growing list of countries that have turned to political outsiders in search for solutions to complex social, security and economic challenges.

The self-proclaimed representative of “the never-before-seen” promised voters fearful of renewed internal conflict to take a heavy-handed approach to combating violent crime with strategies borrowed from Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele’s playbook, including building mega-prisons. Those tactics have lowered homicide rates in the Central American country but have fueled accusations of human rights abuses.

De la Espriella, nicknamed “The Tiger,” holds dual Colombian and U.S. citizenship, is a Trump supporter and a member of the Republican Party.

On Tuesday, he announced he is putting together his Cabinet. He also said he plans to add Colombia to the Trump-dubbed “Shield of the Americas,” a coalition of countries purportedly aimed at cracking down on criminal groups in Latin America.

More than 26 million people voted in the polarizing runoff, setting a historic record. Of those, over 426,000 people chose a third, no-name option on the ballot that allows voters to express dislike of both candidates. About 29,000 people cast blank ballots.

Cepeda, during his address to the nation, repeatedly expressed his intention to play an active role in the opposition once de la Espriella is sworn in, but he did not say whether he would accept a Senate seat reserved for the runner-up in the presidential election.

Cepeda, 63, is a philosopher and the son of a senator who was assassinated by military officers in 1994 during a stark moment of political violence in Colombia. The assassination led Cepeda to become a lifelong advocate for peace negotiations in the South American country, where an internal conflict has lasted decades.

“Today, we represent half of Colombia at the polls,” he said. “We are a fundamental part of the nation. We are a political, social, and cultural force present in every corner of the country.”

Follow AP’s coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america

Supporters of presidential candidate Ivan Cepeda of the ruling Historic Pact coalition react to early election results after polls closed duuring the runoff election in Bogota, Colombia, Sunday, June 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

Ivan Cepeda arrives to give a news conference where he conceded defeat in the presidential election in Bogota, Colombia, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Ivan Valencia)

Ivan Cepeda concedes defeat in the presidential election at a news conference in Bogota, Colombia, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Ivan Valencia)

Ivan Cepeda concedes defeat in the presidential election at a news conference in Bogota, Colombia, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Ivan Valencia)

Ivan Cepeda concedes defeat in the presidential election at a news conference in Bogota, Colombia, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Ivan Valencia)

Sen. Ivan Cepeda, presidential candidate with the ruling Historic Pact Coalition, gives a press conference the day after the presidential election runoff in Bogota, Colombia, Monday, June 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 24, 2026--

Cambia Health Foundation is pleased to announce that Allison Gruber will serve as its vice president and leader, effective June 24, 2026.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260624394168/en/

Gruber comes to this role from Cambia Health Solutions ' Strategy and Innovation team, leading data-driven enterprise strategy initiatives — spanning technology, AI and pharmacy — to improve health outcomes, experience and affordability for millions of health plan members across the country. During that time, she partnered directly with the Foundation on its 10-year strategy refresh, developing a deep understanding of the Foundation's vision and the communities it serves. She brings a proven track record of advancing impact across nonprofit and corporate sectors — tackling complex challenges, stewarding investment portfolios responsibly and collaborating across teams to find the critical intersection between community need and organizational priority. Prior to joining Cambia, she spent over a decade at Deloitte advising nonprofit health systems on patient access, quality and financial stability, before rising to Chief of Staff to the Chief People Officer, where she provided strategic guidance on approximately $1 billion in annual operational and strategic investments.

Gruber will assume her new role on June 24, succeeding Peggy Maguire who is retiring from the Foundation after a distinguished tenure.

"Our search centered on finding someone who could honor the Foundation's deep roots while boldly advancing its future," said Dan Conrad, chief administrative officer of Cambia Health Solutions. "Allison brings a rare combination of strategic vision and genuine passion for the communities we serve. Her dedication to building happier, healthier communities is at the heart of everything she does.”

"I’m honored to step into this role at such an important moment for the Foundation," said Gruber. "The Cambia Health Foundation’s work is incredibly meaningful to me. I look forward to building on its impact and working alongside our partners to drive lasting change for our communities."

Gruber earned a Master of Public Health in Sociomedical Sciences from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Sciences & Policy and Psychology from Duke University.

About Cambia Health Foundation

Cambia Health Foundation is the corporate foundation of Cambia Health Solutions, connecting the company’s philanthropic dollars to communities through nonprofit partners. Founded in 2007, the foundation has funded over $143 million in grants to advance patient and family-centered care for all. We purposefully invest in ideas that expand access to behavioral health care to advance equity through whole-person health.

Allison Gruber headshot image