Sawt Falasteen - Rightist leaders congratulate Colombian president-elect

With almost all the votes counted, De la Espriella held 49.66 percent of the ballots versus Senator Ivan Cepeda's 48.70 percent.

The 47-year-old's victory is set to improve strained relations with Washington and extends a wave of rightist candidates who have swept to power across Latin America promising "iron fist" security policies.

US President Donald Trump expressed "his support" for De la Espriella after celebrating his victory in a phone call, the president-elect said.

Trump later said in a post on Truth Social that "He Won, BIG!"

Argentine President Javier Milei was one of the first to congratulate De la Espriella, who calls himself "The Tiger."

"The majority of Colombians have chosen the path of economic freedom, prosperity, and relentless security," said Milei, who is nicknamed "The Lion."

"Freedom is advancing throughout Latin America and there is no turning back. LONG LIVE FREEDOM... THE LION AND THE TIGER ROAR IN LATIN AMERICA," he said on X.

Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa said: "Colombia chose order over impunity."

"We share the conviction that our region deserves security, progress, and governments that confront crime without excuses," he said on X.

Noboa has criticized outgoing Colombian President Gustavo Petro's stance on crime, accusing him of failing to crack down on drug trafficking and illegal mining along their shared border.

Chile's President Jose Antonio Kast also congratulated De la Espriella "for his great electoral victory," while Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino wished him "the greatest success."

Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace laureate Maria Corina Machado said she expected good relations with Colombia.

"We know we will have a great ally in Venezuela's democratic transition and that together, we will achieve prosperity and security for our people," she said.

Peru's leader Keiko Fujimori said "new winds are blowing for Latin America."

Fujimori was ahead of leftist Roberto Sanchez in Peru's presidential leadership contest with almost all the votes counted.

Q.Jaber--SF-PST