Colombia: Colombian presidential candidate Ivan Cepeda files criminal complaint against Abelardo de la Espriella.

SHOTLIST: BOGOTA, COLOMBIA (JUNE 11, 2026) 1. COLOMBIAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE IVAN CEPEDA ENTERING VENUE FOR PRESS CONFERENCE 2. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) COLOMBIAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE IVAN CEPEDA SAYING: "We have convened this press conference to announce that, at this very moment, we are filing a criminal complaint against lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella before the Office of the Attorney General of Colombia and before the International Criminal Court for a series of crimes, or for allegedly having engaged in and committed a series of crimes that we will detail. This complaint is being filed in relation to three crimes associated with crimes against humanity committed by paramilitary structures belonging to the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia. These crimes are: conspiracy to commit a crime, as defined in Article 340 of the Criminal Code; financing of terrorism, Article 345 of the Criminal Code; and illicit enrichment, Article 327 of the same Code. I would like to clarify that this action is not a repetition of other criminal actions that have been undertaken in the past against de la Espriella, since our complaint includes new elements that have emerged over time, particularly in various judicial proceedings and in efforts aimed at documenting and establishing the truth regarding crimes against humanity. There are numerous accounts, investigations, referrals for criminal investigation, statements before judicial bodies, truth commissions, and the National Center for Historical Memory indicating, first, that de la Espriella allegedly created and led a foundation that multiple paramilitary commanders and leaders have identified as an organization established by the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia for political purposes during their demobilization process. The first action I am requesting is that the Office of the Attorney General reactivate inquiries and investigations to determine the extent of de la Espriella’s involvement with paramilitary organizations and whether he is responsible for the three crimes I have already mentioned: conspiracy to commit a crime, financing paramilitary groups, and illicit enrichment. As a second action, I request that the International Criminal Court open an investigation, given that the facts under scrutiny are related to crimes contemplated under the Rome Statute. These crimes, as is well known, have not been properly investigated by the Colombian justice system and may constitute crimes against humanity. Finally, I call on victims’ organizations to activate all available mechanisms so that, from this moment forward, Mr. de la Espriella appears before the courts and any potential criminal actions attributed to him are subject to the most severe sanctions and the most thorough clarification." 2. CLOSE SHOT OF CAMPAIGN SLOGANS, READING "IVAN CEPEDA - FOR LIFE" BOGOTA, COLOMBIA - JUNE 11: Colombian presidential candidate Ivan Cepeda held a press conference in Bogota on Thursday, June 11, to announce the submission of new evidence to the Attorney General's Office and the filing of a complaint with the International Criminal Court (ICC). Cepeda, a member of the Historic Pact coalition that supports President Gustavo Petro, said the complaint concerns alleged links between his presidential runoff rival, lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella, and former paramilitary groups in Colombia. According to Cepeda, the filing includes allegations that could amount to crimes against humanity, including aggravated criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing and illicit enrichment. Cepeda also alleged that De la Espriella maintained ties with several former paramilitary leaders and announced additional legal and political actions ahead of Colombia's presidential runoff election on June 21. The allegations come as Cepeda and De la Espriella intensify their campaigns before the second round of voting.