Full Breakdown
Trump’s Endorsements Accelerate Rightward Shift in Latin America
6/22/2026, 12:20:54 AM
Endorsement of Colombia’s Runoff Candidate
U.S. President Donald Trump gave a “complete and total endorsement” to Colombian presidential hopeful Abelardo de la Espriella, a newcomer who vows to bomb narco-terrorist camps and build mega-prisons. The endorsement precedes the Sunday runoff against left-wing Sen. Iván Cepeda.
Regional Shift from Pink Tide to Right-Wing Governance
After decades of leftist “Pink Tide” rule, Latin America now shows a rightward swing. Latinobarómetro reports the highest right-identification in twenty years, while conservatives have won elections in Argentina, El Salvador and elsewhere, leaving the left in power only in Mexico, Colombia and Brazil.
Key Actors
The figures are Donald Trump; Colombian candidate Abelardo de la Espriella; President Gustavo Petro; President Claudia Sheinbaum; Argentine President Javier Milei; El Salvador’s Nayib Bukele; Peruvian candidate Keiko Fujimori; James Bosworth, Guillaume Long, Alex González Ormerod and Benjamin Gedan.
Data Highlighting the Trend
Latinobarómetro shows right-identification at its highest in decades. The left now governs only Mexico, Colombia and Brazil. Special Forces are operating in Ecuador, and Trump warned Mexico the United States is “focused on coming in by land” to combat cartels.
Official U.S. Statements
Trump’s campaign called De la Espriella a partner in the fight. A White House official told The Times Mexico must “do more to combat the drug cartels.” The administration declined comment on Sheinbaum’s criticism and Trump has floated charging foreign leaders for endorsements.
Opposition and Critique
President Petro denounced Trump’s backing, urging to “vote freely and not allow ourselves to become either slaves or anyone’s colony.” Sheinbaum questioned whether the U.S. claim of combating organized crime was a legitimate interest. Guillaume Long called it “unprecedented,” Alex González Ormerod warned of cross-pollination between Latin American, U.S. far-right.
Conflicting Reports and Gaps
Trump’s talk of a land incursion into Mexico lacks operational details, and the White House has not confirmed any troop deployment. Analysts differ on whether the regional rightward swing stems from security concerns or U.S. influence.
Verbatim Quotes
- “You have paved the way for the people to defeat the entrenched powers that have long held sway,” — Abelardo de la Espriella, candidate
- “vote freely and not allow ourselves to become either slaves or anyone’s colony.” — Gustavo Petro, President of Colombia
- “Is it truly a legitimate interest to combat organized crime?” — Claudia Sheinbaum, President of Mexico
- “There are a number of taboos that have been broken,” — Guillaume Long, former Ecuadorian foreign minister
Outlook
Colombia’s Sunday runoff will decide if De la Espriella’s hard-line agenda takes office. Ballot counts in Peru show Keiko Fujimori on track for a narrow victory, adding another Trump-aligned leader. Special Forces are operating in Ecuador, and Trump’s overtures to Mexico hint at possible future cooperation, though no official plan is confirmed.
