Right-wing candidate Abelardo De La Espriella has claimed victory in Colombia's presidential election after a closely fought runoff, preliminary results showed on Sunday.
With nearly all ballots counted, De La Espriella secured 49.66 per cent of the vote, ahead of left-wing Senator Ivan Cepeda on 48.70 per cent, initial official results showed. The winning margin amounted to roughly 250,000 votes.
De La Espriella, a lawyer and political newcomer, campaigned on promises to tackle rising insecurity, revive the economy and reduce the size of the state. He has pledged to end peace talks with rebel and criminal groups, expand oil and gas production, and cut taxes.
Addressing supporters in the coastal city of Barranquilla, De La Espriella said he would "govern for all Colombians", regardless of how they voted.
His left-wing rival Cepeda, had vowed to continue policies introduced by Gustavo Petro, Colombia's current President, including welfare programmes, labour reforms and peace negotiations with armed groups.
Cepeda said he would challenge results from about 33,000 ballot boxes and await the completion of Colombia's legally required final count before conceding defeat.
"We are open to dialogue," he told supporters in the capital Bogotá, adding that his movement remained a significant political force.
The narrow margin is expected to complicate governance for De La Espriella, who will need support from a divided Congress to pass legislation.
Security was a major issue during the campaign, particularly in regions affected by extortion, drug trafficking and armed violence. Critics have warned that De La Espriella's hardline stance could intensify Colombia's decades-long conflict with guerrilla and criminal groups.
More than 26 million Colombians voted in the election, almost two-thirds of eligible voters. The final certified result, overseen by judges and notaries, was still being completed late on Sunday.
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