De La Espriella to take office as Colombia president on pledges of security crackdown
The new president plans a hardline security agenda and dozens of policy measures as 11,000 troops secure the ceremony, officials said.
- On Friday, Conservative Abelardo will be sworn in as Colombia's president in Cali, breaking with tradition to signal his hard-line approach toward illegal armed groups. He succeeds outgoing President Gustavo Petro after winning a close runoff election on June 21.
- Calling himself 'The Tiger,' the 48-year-old political outsider has pledged to tackle persistent violence by breaking with Petro's policy of negotiating with armed groups. He aims to boost service member morale while warning illegal groups they face being declared military targets.
- King Felipe of Spain and regional leaders from Argentina, Ecuador, and Chile are expected to attend the ceremony. Meanwhile, student organizations in Cali, where Petro has a large following, have called for protests during the inauguration.
- Espriella plans to unite Colombia with the 'Shield of the Americas,' a regional coalition to fight drug trafficking. He also intends to resume diplomatic relations with Israel while severing ties with Cuba and Nicaragua, which he characterizes as 'tyrannies.'
- Petro has urged supporters to organize 'people's militias' to defend against potential attacks from what he called 'fascists.' Researcher Andrés Macías warns that these calls, combined with Espriella's hard-line stance, increase the likelihood of confrontations during demonstrations.
164 Articles
164 Articles
The new ultra president moves the Congress to Cali and his inauguration takes place outside Bogotá for the first time in 134 years Colombia puts an end to the first left-wing government in its history in a transfer stained by the corruption loop Breaking the 134-year-old mold of Bogota centralism, the 49-year-old criminalist Abelardo de la Espriella swore this Friday as president of Colombia in Cali, the third city of the country. After receivin…
The right-wing hardliner Abelardo de la Espriella replaces left-wing President Gustavo Petro. The challenges are great, especially the huge security crisis in the South American country.
Colombia moves right again after four years under a left-wing president. The new head of state Abelardo de la Espriella begins his term of office with a speech to the drug cartels and the state apparatus.
New Colombian president lays down law to drug cartels
Colombia's new right-wing President Abelardo De La Espriella, fresh from his swearing-in, used his inaugural speech to pledge a vigorous fight against drug trafficking as well as austerity measures to restore confidence in the economy. The 48-year-old won June's runoff on promises to crack down on armed groups, shrink the state by up to 40 percent and revive the oil and gas sector. An ally of US President Donald Trump, he represented people w…
Colombia's De la Espriella Takes Power, Vows Crime Crackdown
Abelardo de la Espriella was sworn in as Colombia’s president Friday, marking the start of a conservative government that promises a sharp break with Gustavo Petro’s leftist administration as concerns over the nation’s finances and increased violence cloud the transition.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 40% of the sources lean Right
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
