Colombia's President Petro rebukes Trump over US support for right‑wing candidate

President Gustavo Petro posted on X urging U.S. President Donald Trump not to intervene in Colombia’s presidential runoff, stressing that the Colombian Constitution forbids foreign support and financing of campaigns. Petro warned that foreign money used to manipulate voters through large artificial‑intelligence campaigns and vote‑buying is illegal, citing the country’s problems with narcotrafficking‑related corruption.

Trump had reiterated his backing for the right‑wing candidate Abelardo de la Espriella, promising “total U.S. force” if he wins the June 21 second‑round against left‑wing contender Iván Cepeda. Petro responded that any election outcome will preserve the two‑century friendship between Colombia and the United States, but foreign interference must be rejected.