Abelardo de la Espriella, a conservative political newcomer and businessman, has been declared the winner of Colombia’s presidential runoff election held on Sunday. Electoral authorities announced the results on Wednesday, confirming de la Espriella’s victory over progressive lawmaker Iván Cepeda by a margin of approximately one percentage point, or more than 251,000 votes.

De la Espriella, a millionaire lawyer with diversified business interests ranging from a clothing line to wine and rum brands, as well as restaurant ownership, had never before held public office. His campaign received a notable endorsement from former U.S. President Donald Trump, underscoring his outsider status in Colombian politics.

The election outcome signals a shift away from the policies of outgoing President Gustavo Petro. Cepeda, who campaigned on continuing Petro’s agenda, including attempts to initiate peace talks with various armed groups, saw his platform largely rejected by voters. The failure of these peace efforts and dissatisfaction with the current administration appear to have contributed to de la Espriella’s narrow but decisive win.

As Colombia prepares for the transition, the focus now turns to how the incoming administration will address ongoing challenges in security and economic development, particularly amid lingering unrest tied to armed conflicts. De la Espriella’s victory reflects a broader conservative resurgence and a demand among the electorate for alternative approaches to governance following Petro’s tumultuous tenure.