Abelardo de la Espriella, a conservative political newcomer backed by President Donald Trump, declared victory Sunday in Colombia’s cliffhanger presidential election as Latin America continued to shift to the right during the American president's second term.

De La Espriella captured 49.7% of the vote, with liberal Iván Cepeda taking 48.7% in a runoff seen as a verdict on outgoing President Gustavo Petro and a stagnant economy ridden by crime.

Election officials had not formally declared a winner Sunday night, but de la Espriella declared victory and said he had already spoken with Trump. 

"We must all respect these electoral results," he said. “And many countries are already weighing in.

"The Colombian people, the masses, spoke out and we defeated the regime," he added.

Trump and his administration congratulated de la Expriella. "He won, BIG!" Trump wrote on social media.

The State Department said Secretary Marco Rubio called the Colombian president-elect to congratulate him.

"This result reflects the will of the Colombian people and their commitment to democracy," the department said.  "The Trump Administration looks forward to working closely with his incoming administration to advance our bilateral and regional security cooperation, end illegal immigration to the United States, and strengthen the economic ties between our two countries."

A businessman and lawyer, de La Espriella was making his first run for office and captured Trump’s support with a plan for economic reform and a crime crackdown.

He is a dual U.S. and Colombian citizen and a registered Republican who worked in Miami.