Abelardo de la Espriella claimed victory in Colombia's presidential election after receiving 49.7% of the vote in the runoff, according to preliminary results. Iván Cepeda received 48.7% of the vote, with a difference of approximately 250,000 to 251,000 votes between them. The electoral authorities declared Abelardo de la Espriella the winner of Sunday’s runoff election. Outgoing President Gustavo Petro said neither candidate can be declared president. Some reports state Abelardo de la Espriella received 49.66% of the vote, while others report 49.7%. Iván Cepeda conceded the election to Abelardo de la Espriella, according to one report. Lawyers for Iván Cepeda began challenging 33,000 of 122,020 ballot boxes. Cepeda and Petro cast doubt on the election results, alleging irregularities without evidence. Abelardo de la Espriella said Petro and Cepeda are denying to accept the election results are not defying 'El Tigre', but rather the millions of citizens who secured the victory. He asked his supporters to confront those who disregard the will expressed at the polls. The runoff had the highest turnout since the system was established in 1994. Cepeda won in 18 departments; de la Espriella won in 14 departments. Abelardo de la Espriella is a businessman and lawyer who had never run for office before. He was endorsed by U.S. President Donald Trump. According to one report, Cepeda received 41.17% of the vote in the first round, and de la Espriella received 43.63%.