With Far Right in Colombia, Brazil Is a Left-Wing Island in South America

The far right’s victory in Colombia consolidates the conservative wave in South America and isolates President Lula (PT) in the region, four months before Brazil’s elections. In 2022, when Lula was elected, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Guyana, Peru, Venezuela and Colombia were governed by the left. Today, the scenario has reversed: Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Chile and Argentina have right-wing or far-right governments.

Colombia’s president-elect, Abelardo de la Espriella, will take office in July. Peru is expected to confirm Keiko Fujimori’s election in the coming days. Among relevant countries aligned with Lula, only Uruguay, led by Yamandú Orsi, and Venezuela remain, with the latter having limited influence in international forums.

Espriella’s victory was celebrated by Javier Milei, Daniel Noboa, Keiko Fujimori and José Antonio Kast. In Brazil, Flávio Bolsonaro (PL), a likely opponent of Lula in October, said that "right-wing agendas continue to triumph across America." Donald Trump also welcomed the result and said he spoke with Espriella shortly after the vote count.

Relations between the U.S. and Colombia are expected to return to normal. During the campaign, Espriella said he would extradite former president Gustavo Petro if Washington requested it.

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