Pro-Trump candidate takes lead in Colombia's presidential race with promise of crime crackdown

Bombastic pro-Trump lawyer Aberaldo de la Espriella pulled ahead as a leader in Colombia’s race for the presidency in the first round of elections over the weekend, capitalizing on a growing appetite for heavy-handed crackdowns on criminal groups across Latin America.

But the second-place finisher, progressive senator Ivan Cepeda, and his ally President Gustavo Petro questioned the results of the election Sunday night without providing evidence.

De la Espriella rapidly gained traction in the lea ...