Abelardo De la Espriella was sworn in as president of Colombia on Friday, August 7, 2026, and used his inaugural address to promise an uncompromising campaign against drug-related armed groups, according to Clarin.com.
The new president said his administration would work to "defeat narcoterrorism without truce," as reported by the Argentine outlet. In a separate report, La Nación quoted De la Espriella as declaring the start of "the recovery of order" in the country.
De la Espriella, described by Clarin.com as a libertarian who admires Argentine President Javier Milei, takes office at a time of deep political division. BBC News highlighted three moments from the inauguration ceremony that it said offer clues about the style and priorities of his coming government, though the outlet's full analysis was not available in the material reviewed.
The transition has not been without controversy. Infobae reported that Sofía Petro, a prominent critic, questioned the legitimacy of the inauguration, saying that someone who truly holds God in their heart could not defend the mass killing of children. The remark appears to reference military operations against armed groups that have drawn scrutiny over civilian casualties, though no specific incident was detailed in the available reporting.
De la Espriella's rise marks a significant shift in Colombian politics, moving from the left-leaning administration of his predecessor to a libertarian platform focused on security and order. His admiration for Milei suggests he may pursue similar economic and security policies, according to Clarin.com.
What to watch next: Whether De la Espriella's promised crackdown on narcoterrorism will change Colombia's approach to peace negotiations with armed groups.
