Abelardo De La Espriella leads Colombia’s presidential race with just under 50% of the vote

Colombian rightwing candidate Abelardo De La Espriella is on track to win the presidential election, taking just under 50% of the vote with nearly 95% of ballot boxes counted. His leftist rival Ivan Cepeda trailed by about 368,000 votes on 48.4%, according to data from the national registry office. De La Espriella has pledged to end the current administration’s restrictions on new oil projects and expand oil and gas development. Cepeda has vowed to continue President Gustavo Petro’s energy policy, including a moratorium on new oil projects.