“[Statement as ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee:] A foreign leader interfering in American elections is unacceptable. The people of the United States and Colombia share two centuries of friendship and partnership … I value the U.S.-Colombia alliance deeply, and I am concerned by any action that could erode the bipartisan support … President de la Espriella's decision to involve himself in an American election while serving as the leader of Colombia [puts that support in jeopardy]. … The American people decide who represents them in the House, not foreign leaders. … Congress will be watching.
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Colombia's President Endorses Rep. Salazar
Colombia's New President Endorses María Elvira Salazar in a Video She Posts Three Weeks Before the Midterms — "Abelardo Has in Me a Friend. Colombia, an Ally," She Writes — and Gregory Meeks Says "A Foreign Leader Interfering in American Elections Is Unacceptable"
October 16, 2026
On Oct. 12, 2026, Rep. María Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.) posted a Spanish-language video in which Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella called her Colombia's "best friend" in the U.S. Congress and backed her re-election in Florida's 27th District, a race Democrats have added to their target list after Salazar broke publicly with President Trump over immigration enforcement. De la Espriella, who took office this year after an election in which Trump openly backed him, is also a U.S. citizen who owns property in Salazar's district; NBC News reported that he and his wife have given Salazar's campaigns nearly $90,000. Salazar and Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) had endorsed him before his election. On Oct. 15, Rep. Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said a foreign leader interfering in American elections "is unacceptable," warned that it put decades of bipartisan support for the U.S.-Colombia alliance in jeopardy, and told de la Espriella to stop: "Congress will be watching." De la Espriella responded hours later defending his bipartisan relationship with the United States.
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“[On X, in Spanish, posting the video of Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella endorsing her re-election (English as translated by Fox News):] And I receive with immense pride the support of my friend, President Abelardo de la Espriella … Representing thousands of Colombians in South Florida has made Colombia a cause I carry with me every day to Congress … Abelardo has in me a friend. Colombia, an ally. And Colombians, a steadfast voice in the United States Congress.