Donald Trump has extended his congratulations to Abelardo De La Espriella, a candidate for president in Colombia, who is commonly known as ‘El Tigre,’ following a preliminary ballot count. Although the election results have not been officially declared, the narrow lead hints at Colombia’s potential swing to the right.
Across Latin America, a significant political shift is evident. The region has experienced a realignment toward right-wing, center-right, or security-first governments. Countries like Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, Peru, Colombia, Honduras, El Salvador, Ecuador, and the Dominican Republic now align with the United States’ strategic approach. Exceptions remain, such as Mexico, Brazil, Uruguay, and a few others, which have yet to align fully with this trend. Meanwhile, Cuba and Nicaragua remain under authoritarian control, while Venezuela serves as a stark warning of the consequences that left-wing regimes face when they lose legitimacy and protection.
The U.S. has played a pivotal role in this transformation by shifting from diplomatic pressure to direct force in the region. Cuba’s fuel crisis and the Iran war have also influenced energy prices and elections throughout Latin America, creating a new political landscape.
In this climate, voters have prioritized security over ideals. Weak state protection is not forgiven. In societies plagued by violence and corruption, the appeal of forceful leadership has become increasingly attractive. El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele exemplifies this shift with his hardline security policies, such as emergency powers and mass arrests.
Colombia’s presidential candidate, Abelardo de la Espriella, emerged from political stagnation and corruption, adopting a ruthless stance promising swift action and order. Similarly, Peru’s Keiko Fujimori succeeded by leveraging a familiar security-first brand in a country grappling with instability and dysfunction. Both Colombia and Peru saw narrow right-wing victories, indicating public discontent with traditional political mechanisms.
“Donald Trump did not create that demand. Crime did. Weak growth did. Failed institutions did.”
Trump’s geopolitical influence has reinforced the region’s alignment with Washington. American investment is now perceived as access to security and protection from geopolitical upheavals. Countries aligning with Washington signal seriousness and stability.
The stakes are high for the United States. An aligned Latin America could enhance cooperation on counternarcotics, reduce migration pressures, challenge Chinese influence, and restore American leverage in the region. However, the challenge lies in fostering strong democratic partnerships rather than relying on authoritarian strength. Long-term governance requires strengthening law enforcement, judicial, and border systems, ensuring credible institutions beyond individual leaders.
Latin America’s new right must now translate its vision of order into effective governance, leveraging the strategic importance placed on the hemisphere by the United States.