De la Espriella Leads Preliminary Runoff Count (Result Contested)

Colombia’s June 21 presidential runoff remains uncertified. In the preliminary count, far-right candidate Abelardo de la Espriella leads with 49.66 percent against Iván Cepeda’s 48.70 percent, a margin under one point, or roughly 250,000 votes. Cepeda is challenging results from about a quarter of the country’s ballot boxes, and outgoing President Petro has not declared a winner. An official manual count is expected in the coming days. If certified, de la Espriella would take office August 7. Markets reacted to the preliminary figures: the peso strengthened and the US dollar closed near 3,400 pesos on June 22, about 53 pesos lower. For expats and dollar holders, the exchange rate moved favorably that day, but policy direction remains uncertain until the result is certified and a new government is installed.

Source: Al Jazeera