BOGOTÁ — Abelardo De La Espriella, a 47-year-old criminal defense lawyer and businessman with no prior political experience, has emerged as a leading contender in Colombia’s presidential race. After securing the highest number of votes in the first round, he is set to face left-wing senator Iván Cepeda in a runoff scheduled for Sunday. De La Espriella’s sudden rise has captivated and divided Colombians as the country prepares to elect a new leader amid concerns over security and political polarization.

De La Espriella’s campaign is marked by a populist and combative style, heavily self-financed and driven by a robust social media presence. He has drawn inspiration from right-wing figures in Latin America, including Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele and Argentine President Javier Milei, adopting proposals such as the construction of megaprisons, administrative cost-cutting, and the use of a tiger mascot as a campaign symbol. His platform calls for restoring security by targeting cocaine trafficking groups, shrinking government control, overhauling the health system, and fostering closer ties with the United States, particularly the administration of former President Donald Trump, who recently endorsed him.

Before his political debut, De La Espriella spent over a decade in Miami, where he earned a reputation as a high-profile defense lawyer representing controversial clients, including accused drug traffickers and political figures linked to paramilitary groups. Among his notable clients was former Colombian President Álvaro Uribe, known for his hardline policies and embroiled in paramilitary allegations. De La Espriella’s legal career also involved defending figures like Alex Saab, who faces U.S. accusations related to money laundering for Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro government. He has dismissed claims linking him to illicit activities and disputes allegations made by political opponents.

Raised in Córdoba, a region historically associated with paramilitary violence, De La Espriella established a peace foundation in the 1990s aimed at engaging paramilitary members as political actors—a stance that has drawn criticism. His opponent, Iván Cepeda, has accused him of being a paramilitary accomplice, a charge De La Espriella has not publicly addressed while countering with accusations of Cepeda’s ties to left-wing guerrilla groups.

De La Espriella’s past has also sparked controversy due to numerous lawsuits he has filed against journalists covering his activities. According to media freedom organizations, he has initiated nearly 110 legal actions, including against critics who likened him to fictional portrayals of unscrupulous lawyers. His aggressive approach to opposition and media has raised concerns about potential authoritarian tendencies should he assume office.

After becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2023 and residing in Miami and later Florence, Italy, De La Espriella returned to Colombia in 2023 to launch his presidential bid. His decision was reportedly influenced by the assassination of conservative presidential candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay in 2022 and a personal religious awakening.

During his campaign, De La Espriella has cultivated connections with U.S. Republican officials, including meetings at former President Trump’s Doral golf club and interactions with lawmakers such as Senator Bernie Moreno and Representative María Elvira Salazar, both of whom have expressed support. Colombian American communities in Florida have also been mobilized to bolster his voter base abroad.

Supporters view De La Espriella as a symbol of renewed security and economic freedom, evoking the assertiveness of past right-wing governance under Uribe. Critics, however, warn of his rhetoric’s divisiveness and potential threats to democratic norms, especially given his pledge to “disembowel the left” and his warnings that opponents challenging his victory would face harsh repercussions.

As the runoff approaches, De La Espriella’s campaign continues to project an image of defiant patriotism, often appearing in the national soccer jersey and invoking a nationalist slogan. Whether his assertive approach will resonate enough to secure Colombia’s highest office remains to be seen as voters weigh their options in a politically charged atmosphere.