Abelardo de la Espriella wins Colombian presidential election
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
Abelardo de la Espriella, a US-backed lawyer, has won Colombia's presidential runoff election, securing 49.65 percent of the vote against left-wing Senator Ivan Cepeda's 48.70 percent. De la Espriella, 47, has never held public office and campaigned on a promise to combat drug-running guerrilla groups. His victory is expected to improve relations with Washington and aligns with a trend of right-wing leaders emerging across Latin America. Following his win, he stated he had spoken with US President Donald Trump, who offered congratulations. Supporters celebrated in Colombian cities, expressing hope that "The Tiger," as he is known, would bring security. De la Espriella's win marks a return to power for Colombia's right wing. However, the narrow margin of victory and the highly contentious campaign suggest potential protests, and he will govern without a parliamentary majority. His presidency is anticipated to challenge Colombia's decade-old peace process, as he previously indicated plans to scrap peace talks with dissident groups and launch US-backed airstrikes. While a peace accord with FARC guerrillas led to prosperity in parts of Colombia, cartels and dissident groups still operate, cocaine exports are high, and economic inequality persists. Ivan Cepeda, 63, has not yet conceded, stating he would await the final vote count and checks.
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is reportedly considering stepping down, with UK media indicating a potential announcement as early as Monday. This comes as Andy Burnham, who recently won a by-election, is expected to be sworn in as a Member of Parliament, clearing the way for a leadership challenge. Starmer's office has not confirmed any decision or press conference timings, though junior education minister Jacqui Smith stated Starmer was reflecting on what is best for the country. Speculation about Starmer's resignation intensified following Burnham's decisive victory in the Makerfield constituency. Under Labour rules, the party leader must be an MP. If Starmer resigns, it would mark Britain's seventh prime minister in a decade. The Guardian reported that Starmer is expected to announce his resignation due to pressure from Labour MPs to make way for Burnham. The BBC also noted growing signs of Starmer's potential resignation. US President Donald Trump predicted Starmer's departure, citing failures in immigration and energy policies. Burnham, the Greater Manchester mayor since 2017, has expressed his intention to lead the Labour party. Starmer, who took office in July 2024, has faced a tenure marked by missteps, policy U-turns, scandals, and ministerial resignations, including a near ousting in March over the appointment of Peter Mandelson. Recent local and regional poll losses further intensified pressure on Starmer, leading to the Makerfield by-election that allowed Bu
Must ReadAn explosion at a factory in Qatar's Ras Laffan industrial zone on Sunday injured 54 people and left 18 missing, according to the Gulf state’s interior ministry. The ministry stated that a "technical incident" or "technical malfunction" caused the blast. State-owned firm QatarEnergy confirmed the incident occurred "during the start-up of operations at Ras Laffan Industrial City," resulting in an explosion and fire at the Barzan local gas supply facility. An AFP journalist observed flames and a smoke plume from 20 kilometers away. Ras Laffan, home to the world’s largest liquefied natural gas hub, had previously sustained damage from the US-Iran war, with Iranian strikes targeting Gulf energy infrastructure and forcing Qatar to halt gas production. Qatar, a leading liquefied natural gas producer, ceased LNG production on March 2 after Iranian drone strikes hit key facilities. Further attacks on March 18 were expected to reduce LNG export capacity by 17 percent, with repairs estimated to take three to five years, according to Qatar’s Energy Minister Saad Al-Kaabi.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has lauded the European Investment Bank EIB for its backing of the Omi Eko Project, an initiative aimed at transforming urban mobility and enhancing residents' quality of life. During a visit from an EIB delegation led by Vice President Ambroise Fayolle, Governor Sanwo-Olu stated that the project aligns with his administration’s THEMES+ agenda, particularly its Transportation and Traffic Management pillar. The Omi Eko Project, meaning “Water of Lagos,” will establish modern and climate-resilient water transport infrastructure, including improved terminals, safer navigation channels, and enhanced commuter services. This is expected to significantly reduce travel times for residents. Governor Sanwo-Olu also acknowledged the support from the African Development Bank and other development partners for the state's sustainable transportation network. He further welcomed the EIB’s investment in Nigeria’s small and medium-scale enterprise sector. Fayolle noted that Nigeria is projected to become the EIB’s largest country of operations in Africa in 2025, with total lending valued at €550 million. He highlighted a recent €200 million facility with the Development Bank of Nigeria for digital and green investments by micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, and a financing agreement with Wema Bank to improve access to finance for underserved businesses. Fayolle described the Omi Eko Project as a flagship European Union initiative in Lagos, fin