Progressive candidate Iván Cepeda conceded the Colombian presidential election to Abelardo de la Espriella on Wednesday. De la Espriella, a conservative outsider, received endorsement from U.S. President Donald Trump. The election results revealed that de la Espriella, a businessman and lawyer inexperienced in political office, defeated Cepeda by 1 percentage point, which is nearly 251,000 votes.

“We assume with serenity, responsibility, and absolute resolve the role that circumstances demand of us,” Cepeda stated in his national address. He added, “We will exercise a democratic, vigilant, and constructive opposition.”

The result is perceived as an indictment of outgoing President Gustavo Petro’s administration, whose policies Cepeda aimed to continue. These included a largely unsuccessful attempt to initiate dialogue with various armed groups under the “total peace” plan. Despite the electoral authorities publishing almost complete vote counts hours after polls closed on Sunday, Petro and Cepeda did not accept the results. Cepeda expressed his intent to wait for a recount before doing so.