The 48-year-old lawyer and businessman was sworn in on Friday as Colombia's 43rd president, promising to eradicate "narcoterrorism" and strengthen ties with Washington.
It was in Cali, the country's third-largest city, and not in Bogotá, that Abelardo de la Espriella chose to take up his post. This symbolic choice was not insignificant: the southwestern Colombian city borders the main drug trafficking routes and the Pacific coast, a frequent scene of clashes between rival armed groups. Enhanced security measures were deployed for the occasion.
In his inaugural address, the new president declared that "the option of dialogue is completely exhausted," thus breaking with the policy of his predecessor, Gustavo Petro, who had favored a peaceful resolution of conflicts with armed groups. De la Espriella promised to restore "order, authority, and freedom," adding that there would be "no room for maneuvers that undermine the stability of the nation." He also mentioned the opening of mega-prisons intended to house captured rebels and traffickers.
Among those present were King Felipe VI of Spain, Acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, and several Latin American heads of state: Javier Milei of Argentina, Daniel Noboa of Ecuador, and José Antonio Kast of Chile. Gustavo Petro, however, refused to attend the ceremony and called for mass protests, claiming without evidence that the election had been marred by fraud.
De la Espriella, who calls himself "El Tigre" (The Tiger), had never held public office before this election. A former lawyer and entrepreneur active in agribusiness, real estate, and fashion, he financed his campaign himself. He won the second round on June 21 against Senator Ivan Cepeda, a close ally of Petro, in a close race.
On the international stage, the new president intends to forge a military alliance with the United States and Israel to combat rebel groups, including FARC splinter factions. He secured Donald Trump 's support by pledging to join an anti-drug coalition called "Shield of the Americas" and offered to host American troops on Colombian soil. He also announced the resumption of diplomatic relations with Israel and the severing of ties with Cuba and Nicaragua.
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