Abelardo de la Espriella officially assumes the presidency of Colombia this Friday in a historic ceremony being held in Cali, breaking with the bicentennial tradition of inauguration in Bogotá. The 48-year-old criminal lawyer, known as "El Tigre," comes to power after a meteoric political rise with his Defensores de la Patria movement, promising an "iron fist" government against guerrillas and drug trafficking.
The new president, who holds dual Colombian and U.S. nationality, defines as immediate priorities the fight against crime, realignment with the United States, and ending the previous government's peace negotiations. His security strategy includes intensifying bombings against guerrilla camps with support from Israel and the U.S., as well as building mega-prisons inspired by the El Salvador model.
The ceremony in Cali, a city recently affected by attacks, features a heavy security apparatus, including thousands of military personnel and an anti-drone system. Among the international leaders present are presidents Javier Milei (Argentina), Daniel Noboa (Ecuador), José Antonio Kast (Chile) and Santiago Peña (Paraguay), as well as King Felipe VI of Spain.
Paraguayan President Santiago Peña, who leads a delegation including First Lady Leticia Ocampos and Foreign Minister Rubén Ramírez, highlights the importance of strengthening regional security cooperation. Peña reveals he has a difficult relationship with his predecessor Gustavo Petro: "Unfortunately, President Petro never agreed in three years of his administration to meet with me, which speaks of a lack of tolerance."
De la Espriella announces significant changes in foreign policy, including the re-establishment of relations with Israel, the closure of embassies in Cuba and Nicaragua, and withdrawal from the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative. Internally, he plans to reduce the size of the state by 40%, eliminating the presidency for peace and the presidency for human rights.
The new government inherits a country with about 25,000 people under arms according to official 2025 data, and receives military forces with limited capacity in personnel and equipment. Experts warn of possible civilian collateral damage if an excessively hard approach is adopted against armed groups entrenched in territories.
Gustavo Petro, who does not attend the inauguration, leaves power under accusations of corruption in his inner circle, including million-dollar embezzlement in the disaster management agency and investigations against his eldest son.