Moreno, Cotton Urge Trump, Rubio to Publicly Affirm Support for Colombia’s President-Elect

WASHINGTON – Today, Senators Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) and Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) sent a letter to President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging the Administration to publicly back Colombian President-elect Aberlardo de la Espriella in response to outgoing President Petro’s attempts to damage Colombia’s relationship with the United States. Senator Moreno served as an election observer for Colombia’s presidential elections on May 31st and the runoff elections on June 21st. “Petro’s actions endanger Colombia’s peaceful democratic transition and potentially jeopardize our relationship with the country,” wrote the Senators. “A strong, democratically elected Colombian government is central to continuing your work to enhance regional security across issues such as combatting illegal immigration and narcoterrorism.” Read the full text of the letter HERE or below. July 14, 2026 The Honorable Donald J. Trump President of the United States of America 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington, DC 20500 The Honorable Marco Rubio Secretary U.S. Department of State 2201 C St. NW Washington, D.C. 20451 Dear President Trump and Secretary Rubio, We write to encourage the administration to publicly express U.S. solidarity with Abelardo de la Espriella as he prepares to assume his role as the next President of Colombia. We were encouraged to see the joint statement from the Members of the Shield of the Americas rejecting attempts to cast doubt on the electoral outcome. To further extend America’s support to the new Colombian government, we also request you officially name a U.S. delegation to the August 7 inauguration and offer any needed transition support. President Petro’s claims of election fraud are, of course, nonsense, and multiple observers have assessed the election was conducted transparently while fully complying with Colombian law. Petro is simply seeking to place his hand-chosen successor in power by alleging election interference. Petro’s actions endanger Colombia’s peaceful democratic transition and potentially jeopardize our relationship with the country. A strong, democratically elected Colombian government is central to continuing your work to enhance regional security across issues such as combatting illegal immigration and narcoterrorism. Both of your personal congratulations and prompt recognition of Mr. de la Espriella after his election win in June sent a strong message of support to the newly elected Colombian government. We ask that you continue that support by making it clear that the United States government will participate in the peaceful transition to the presidency of Abelardo de la Espriella. Thank you for your steadfast focus on advancing America’s interests in the Western Hemisphere. Congress stands by to assist as required. Sincerely, BERNIE MORENO United States Senator TOM COTTON United States Senator