Florida Republican running for re-election snags presidential endorsement from Colombia
Rep.María Elvira Salazar, R-Fla., who faces a tightening race in her heavily Hispanic congressional district, picked up a presidential endorsement Monday — but not from the Oval Office occupant.Colombia’s president, the Trump-allied Abelardo de la Espriella, called Salazar “Colombia’s best friend in U.S.
Congress” in a Spanish-language video Salazar posted on X.De la Espriella, a Colombian-American citizen who owns property in Salazar’s district, and his wife have donated nearly $90,000 to Salazar in the past.Salazar made waves last month when she broke with President Donald Trump over immigration, directly addressing him in an ad in which she said some of his immigration enforcement efforts had gone “too far.”“Be careful what your advisers are telling you about immigration policy.The same Hispanics who helped you get to the White House in 2024 feel betrayed today,” Salazar said.She is one of several Republicans to have distanced themselves from Trump as the midterm elections approach.In the days after the ad aired, Trump told reporters at the White House that “without me she wouldn’t have gotten elected,” adding that Salazar “got a little bit soft on the border” while saying he still supported her campaign.Trump later attacked Salazar, using Truth Social posts to boost other users’ messages attacking her — including one calling for a new Republican to replace her, even though the election is only weeks away.Now, on the outs with Trump, Salazar is getting support from some right-wing stalwarts overseas.Last week, she posted a video endorsement from Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, who called her a “firm and loyal ally to the cause of Venezuelan freedom.”Salazar is seeking re-election in a district where more than 74% of the population is Hispanic, according to census data.
A significant part of the district has ties to Colombia and Venezuela.Salazar has represented the district since 2021.It has swung dram...