Colombia's New President De la Espriella Sworn In, Promises Crackdown on Armed Groups
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Abelardo de la Espriella took office in a ceremony in Cali, pledging to end negotiations with insurgents, cut public spending and revive the oil sector, while the United States announced a pending $1 billion security aid package.
Abelardo de la Espriella was inaugurated as Colombia’s president on Friday in Cali, a city in the country’s southwest that has been a focal point of armed-group activity. Breaking with tradition, the ceremony was held outside the capital and was heavily secured with soldiers, armored vehicles and police checkpoints.
De la Espriella, who defeated incumbent Gustavo Petro in a June runoff, said there would be "no room for manoeuvres that undermine the stability of the nation" and pledged to "relentlessly defeat narco-terrorism," adding that "the option of dialogue is completely exhausted." He also promised to cut government spending by up to 40 percent, revive oil and gas production, and strengthen the state-run company Ecopetrol.
Addressing business leaders, he described his administration as a partner for investment and called for "responsible and sustainable fracking" to preserve oil and gas reserves. After the oath, he visited a nearby military battalion to speak directly to troops.
The new leader signaled a shift away from Petro’s negotiated peace strategy with dissident FARC factions, the Clan del Golfo cartel and the ELN rebel group. He also announced plans to join the U.S.-backed "Shield of the Americas" coalition against drug trafficking, restore diplomatic ties with Israel and end relations with Cuba and Nicaragua.
Protests erupted in several cities, including Cali, Bogotá and Barranquilla, as some residents expressed opposition to the new government. Economist Jorge Restrepo of Javeriana University noted that the narrow election margin highlights the challenges of governing a politically divided nation.
The United States State Department said the Trump administration intends to provide $1 billion in security assistance to Colombia, pending congressional approval. Attendees at the inauguration included Spain’s King Felipe VI, acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche, FIFA president Gianni Infantino and several conservative leaders from the region.