Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella is facing criticism in the United States after publicly endorsing Republican Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar, who is seeking reelection in the November 3 midterm elections.
Gregory W. Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, warned that the Colombian leader’s intervention could undermine the bipartisan support that has sustained relations between Washington and Bogotá for decades.
The controversy comes as both countries seek to maintain cooperation on security, counternarcotics efforts, trade, and other strategic issues. While De la Espriella framed his endorsement as a gesture toward a longtime political ally, Meeks questioned the appropriateness of a foreign head of state intervening in U.S. elections and warned of the potential diplomatic consequences of his public alignment with a Republican candidate.
De la Espriella draws US criticism over election remarks
De la Espriella expressed his support for Salazar, who represents Florida’s 27th Congressional District and is seeking a fourth term in the House of Representatives. In a video shared by the congresswoman, the Colombian president praised her work defending Colombia’s interests in Washington and described her as a friend.
The relationship between the two politicians predates De la Espriella’s election as president. He contributed financially to Salazar’s 2018 campaign, while the congresswoman traveled to Barranquilla in June to support his presidential bid.
Their political ties also reflect the importance of the Colombian community in South Florida. More than 38,000 Colombians live in Salazar’s district, accounting for approximately 5% of the population. The congresswoman has repeatedly highlighted her ties to Colombia and argued that relations with the South American country are an important part of her legislative work.
Salazar has also portrayed herself as a defender of Colombian democracy and an advocate for cooperation between the two countries. De la Espriella’s endorsement reinforces that political alliance at a time when Republicans and Democrats are preparing for nationwide elections that could alter the balance of power in the U.S. Congress.
Democrats warn of diplomatic consequences
Meeks, a Democratic congressman from New York and his party’s top representative on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, responded with a strongly worded statement released October 15 by the committee’s Democrats.
The lawmaker called a foreign leader’s intervention in U.S. elections “unacceptable” and argued that the decision about who represents Americans in Congress belongs exclusively to U.S. voters.
Meeks also warned that De la Espriella’s endorsement could jeopardize the bipartisan support that has historically characterized relations between Washington and Bogotá. According to the congressman, cooperation between the two countries has developed over two centuries on the basis of shared democratic commitments and common interests that transcend partisan differences.
“I deeply value the U.S.-Colombia partnership, and I am concerned about any action that could erode the bipartisan support it has enjoyed for decades,” Meeks said.
The congressman urged De la Espriella to stop commenting on the U.S. electoral contest and warned that his involvement could undermine the goodwill that has helped sustain bilateral cooperation. He also said Congress would continue to monitor the situation.
Beyond the close relationship between De la Espriella and Salazar, it is worth noting that the Colombian president’s endorsement of the Republican candidate comes four months after U.S. President Donald Trump openly and directly backed De la Espriella’s own presidential bid in Colombia’s elections.
Ranking Member @RepGregoryMeeks issued the following statement after Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella weighed in on U.S. House elections: https://t.co/O2bFcOMreB
— House Foreign Affairs Committee Dems (@HouseForeign) October 15, 2026
A delicate relationship ahead of the elections
The controversy puts De la Espriella in a diplomatically challenging position. His support could strengthen ties with Salazar and other Republican allies, but it also risks alienating Democrats, whose backing remains important to maintaining a stable relationship with Colombia.
Bipartisan cooperation has been particularly important on issues such as combating drug trafficking, security assistance, and economic relations. Shifts in control of Congress, including the possibility of a Democratic majority following the elections, could affect government oversight, funding priorities, and the political environment in which that cooperation takes place.
The November 3 midterm elections will determine all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 35 of the Senate’s 100 seats. The outcome will help shape the legislative agenda for the second half of President Donald Trump’s term and could affect his room to maneuver in foreign policy.
As the elections approach, the Colombian government faces the challenge of maintaining its political alliances without undermining the broader congressional support on which its relationship with Washington depends.