Ruptly
"Abelardo de la Espriella launched a blistering attack on Colombia's political left on Monday, accusing presidential rival Ivan Cepeda of plotting a 'staged attack' and claiming President Gustavo Petro was refusing to surrender power. De la Espriella took a surprise first-round lead in Colombia's May 31 presidential election with 43.7 per cent of the vote, ahead of Cepeda on 40.9 per cent. The rivals will contest a runoff after neither crossed the 50 per cent threshold. "Since last week, and through at least three high-level sources, we received information that Cepeda was plotting to stage a self-inflicted attack in the midst of his desperation over imminent defeat," De la Espriella said. "What is Cepeda trying to do? Clear the path for the criminals who support him to execute their plans to assassinate me, and if they fail, blame me using that self-inflicted attack theory," he added. Neither candidate presented public evidence. Cepeda had earlier accused De la Espriella of preparing a staged attack before his rival responded with the same allegation. The accusations have fuelled fears of political violence. Conservative senator and presidential hopeful Miguel Uribe Turbay died in August 2025, two months after he was shot at a campaign event in Bogota. De la Espriella also accused establishment politicians of preparing to buy votes and publicly urged US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau to consider visa action against more than 20 named figures. "There is an alliance with the same old corrupt politicians to buy votes," he alleged. "I remind them that the United States government is already monitoring visa revocations. They have their eyes on the corrupt." Petro and Cepeda initially questioned the preliminary count. Cepeda later acknowledged the result after his campaign failed to produce evidence that could overturn it. International election observers said they found no irregularities that would undermine the vote. "Take note, my dear Undersecretary. Petro does not want to leave. Petro is acting irrationally. Have you already seen how he has been acting lately?" De la Espriella said. "We saw it during this intense weekend in which he posted on social media without restraint. As I was telling you, the heir's campaign has lost momentum. That is why Petro is acting this way. That is why Cepeda is taking these erratic turns," he added. The runoff between Abelardo de la Espriella and Ivan Cepeda is scheduled for Sunday, June 21, 2026."
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