Ruptly
"Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US would be "very forceful in ensuring that there is a free and fair election in Colombia" - after being asked about Donald Trump's endorsement for Abelardo de la Espriella - during the House Foreign Affairs Committee in DC on Wednesday. "We have information, sir, that there are forces preparing a major election fraud coming up in three weeks," one senator put to him. "My question to you is very clear. We need to send a message to the Colombians that they need to have free and fair elections. So are we prepared to say that whomever participates in that type of fraud process during the presidential election, can we sanction them with OFAC sanctions, cancelling United States visas for them or for their family members." "I can't make that... I would say to you that we are going to be very forceful in ensuring that there is a free and fair election in Colombia and do everything within our power to ensure that that happens," Rubio replied. With 43.74% of the vote - more than 10 million ballots - De la Espriella led the race in the first round, while Ivan Cepeda, representing the governing Historic Pact coalition, secured 40.90%. Colombians will return to the polls on June 21 for a runoff election to decide the country's next president."
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