The United States and a group of Latin American countries have expressed deep concern over statements and actions that cast doubt on the integrity of Colombia’s electoral process.

Joint Statement

A joint statement released by the State Department said, ‘We observe with deep concern the recent statements and actions that, without duly substantiated grounds, cast doubt on the integrity of the electoral process in the Republic of Colombia.’ The statement was signed by the US, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guyana, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Colombian right-wing candidate Abelardo De La Espriella won the presidential election last month. US President Donald Trump had endorsed him. The joint statement came from the countries called the ‘Shield of the Americas,’ a Trump-created military alliance of right-wing leaders pledging to fight drug trafficking.

Election Controversy

Colombian leftist senator Ivan Cepeda conceded in the country’s presidential race and criticized what he cast as foreign interference by Trump in the race. Cepeda also accused De La Espriella of a vote-buying operation without providing evidence. De La Espriella accused Cepeda of vote-buying, also without providing evidence.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.