De La Espriella to take office as Colombia president on pledges of security crackdown
De La Espriella plans to announce dozens of measures and a hard-line security agenda as he takes office after winning June’s runoff.
- 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.
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Abelardo de la Espriella assumes the presidency of Colombia in Cali with the promise of a hard hand in the face of violence. These are the keys to his government plan.
Colombia's new president to take office in ceremony highlighting hard line on armed groups
BOGOTA, Colombia — Conservative Abelardo de la Espriella will be sworn in as Colombia’s president Friday under heavy security in Cali, a city in the country’s volatile southwest, breaking with the tradition of holding the ceremony in the capital, in a move meant to signal his hard-line approach to illegal armed groups De la Espriella, 48, will succeed Gustavo Petro after winning a close runoff election on June 21 against the outgoing president’s…
Associated Press News
Colombia’s new president to take office in ceremony in Cali highlighting hard line on armed groups
Abelardo de la Espriella will be sworn in as Colombia’s president Friday in Cali, breaking tradition by not holding the ceremony in Bogota.
De La Espriella to take office as Colombia president on pledges of security crackdown
Right-wing lawyer Abelardo De La Espriella is set to be sworn in as Colombia's new president on Friday after pledging a hard line on security, drug trafficking and the economy.
Colombia's New President Takes Office
Right wing lawyer Abelardo De La Espriella will be sworn in as Colombia’s new president on Friday, marking a dramatic political shift after campaigning on promises to restore security, revive the economy and reverse many of former President Gustavo Petro’s policies. The 48 year old secured victory in June’s presidential runoff by pledging an aggressive […] The post Colombia’s New President Takes Office appeared first on Modern Diplomacy.
Bogotá. With previous promotions loaded with militarist messages and priority of security, the ultraright Abelardo de laEspriella will assume the presidency of Colombia for the period 2026-2030 this Friday.
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- 35% of the sources lean Left, 34% of the sources lean Right
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