Colombia’s President Abelardo de la Espriella recognized the election victory of his Brazilian counterpart Luiz Ignacio Lula, who defeated far-right candidate Flavio Bolsonaro on Sunday.

In a post on social media platform X, the Colombian President said that “in the Colombian presidential campaign, President Lula openly supported Ivan Cepeda, and I won. In the Brazilian campaign, I supported Bolsonaro, and Lula won.”

“Neither does Lula decide for Colombians, nor do I decide for Brazilians. THE PEOPLE DECIDE! And when the people speak at the polls, their will is respected because it is sacred,” the president added.

Lula and I have major and profound political and ideological differences, but we agree on one fundamental point: Brazil and Colombia need each other. No other consideration can take precedence over the interests of our nations. Colombia and Brazil are sister nations, facing enormous shared challenges and opportunities.

President Abelardo de la Espriella

De la Espriella stressed that “we have much to do and much work to carry out for the benefit of our peoples” an ought to “fight against narco-terrorism and illegal mining, the protection of the Amazon, and the well-being of our citizens.”

Lula was the first leftist candidate and critic of US President Donald Trump to win an election, triggering celebrations among leftists throughout the continent.

De la Espriella, a US citizen, has been among the most fanatic among Trump supporter in trying to align his domestic policies to US foreign policy.