BARRANQUILLA, Colombia, June 22, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The hard-right victor of Colombia's presidential runoff vowed to respect democratic principles and govern for "all Colombians" Sunday, after narrowly winning a deeply polarizing contest against his leftist rival.

In a victory speech in Barranquilla, Abelardo de la Espriella said he would restore order after the most violent campaign in a decade and usher in a "new era" for the country, but he also sounded a conciliatory tone.

"Mine will be an absolutely democratic government and a guarantor of freedom and institutional order," he said, "I will be president for all Colombians."