Colombia hails Erdogan for election win

By Santiago Serna

BOGOTA, Colombia

Colombia’s Foreign Affairs Ministry issued a statement Monday congratulating Turkey following weekend elections in which Recep Tayyip Erdogan was re-elected president.

"Colombia and Turkey have developed close bilateral relations at the political, investment and trade levels. Our country reiterates its commitment to continue strengthening ties with President Erdogan and his government and wishes him success in his mandate," the ministry said in a statement.

Turkey on Sunday went to the polls for presidential and parliamentary elections in which Erdogan won the Turkish presidency, according to preliminary results.

With 99.6 percent of the ballot boxes opened, Erdogan is leading with 52.58 percent of the vote while his closest rival, Muharrem Ince, is lagging behind at 30.64 percent.

The president-elect said presidential and parliamentary elections were carried out with a high percentage of participation and high representation in parliament in an atmosphere of peace and with total transparency, according to reports from different parts of the country and voting centers abroad.

Erdogan will extend his presidential term until 2023, the year in which the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey will be celebrated.

*Maria Paula Triviño contributed to this report