Archive · 8 Aug 2026
Colombia's new president vows to defeat 'narco-terrorists' in fiery speech
Colombia has a new president, Abelardo de la Espriella.
He was sworn in on Friday in the city of Cali.
In his first speech, he promised to defeat 'narco-terrorists' — groups of people who sell illegal drugs and use violence.
He said talking to them was no longer an option, and he wants to fight them with the military and police.
The last president, Gustavo Petro, had tried talking to these groups instead.
Mr. de la Espriella won the election by less than one percent of the votes.
It is the end of four years with a leftist government, the first in Colombia's history.
The new president has big plans, such as building 'mega-prisons' and working closely with the United States.
Some people hope this will make the country safer.
Others worry about human rights and the environment.
Abelardo de la Espriella was inaugurated in Cali on Friday, vowing to 'relentlessly defeat narco-terrorism' and declaring 'the option of dialogue is completely exhausted.'
The US-backed 48-year-old's narrow victory of less than one percentage point ended four years of Colombia's first-ever leftist government under Gustavo Petro.
Petro declined to attend the ceremony, has claimed election fraud without providing evidence, and called protests that drew hundreds of peaceful demonstrators in Bogota and Barranquilla.
His 'Plan Colombia II' agenda includes hosting US troops, bombing jungle cocaine labs, building 'mega-prisons,' eliminating coca crops 'by all means,' and forging a military alliance with Israel.
He faces a divided Congress without a majority and addressed soldiers at a garrison guarded by 11,000 troops and an anti-drone system.
- Who
- Abelardo de la Espriella, Colombia's newly inaugurated president, with predecessor Gustavo Petro declining to attend; guests included Javier Milei, FIFA boss Gianni Infantino, and Donald Trump's acting attorney general Todd Blanche.
- What
- De la Espriella vowed to 'relentlessly defeat narco-terrorism,' declared that 'the option of dialogue is completely exhausted,' and pledged a hard-line security agenda under 'Plan Colombia II' aligned with the United States.
- When
- Friday, August 7, at his inauguration and first presidential speech.
- Where
- Cali, Colombia, where the inauguration and his address at a military garrison took place rather than at Congress in Bogota.
- Why
- To restore order and end what he called the failed peace talks with armed groups under the previous administration of Gustavo Petro.
Left / Progressive View
Right / Conservative View
Approach to armed groups
Left / Progressive View
The previous government of Gustavo Petro tried to negotiate peace with Colombia's guerrilla and armed groups, seeing dialogue as a path to ending the conflict.
Right / Conservative View
De la Espriella says 'the option of dialogue is completely exhausted' and vows to 'relentlessly defeat narco-terrorism' with military force.
Legacy of Plan Colombia
Left / Progressive View
Critics note the original US-backed Plan Colombia led to allegations of serious human rights abuses.
Right / Conservative View
Supporters note the original plan succeeded in weakening key combat groups; the new president wants US troops, bombing of jungle cocaine labs and 'mega-prisons.'
Election legitimacy
Left / Progressive View
Gustavo Petro has claimed election fraud without providing evidence and called for protests that drew hundreds of peaceful demonstrators in Bogota and Barranquilla.
Right / Conservative View
De la Espriella won the election by less than one percentage point, and his supporters hope for a harsh crackdown on crime and armed groups.
- New President
- Abelardo de la Espriella
- Age
- 48
- Inauguration Location
- Cali, Colombia (instead of Bogota)
- Election Margin
- Less than one percentage point
- Inauguration Security
- 11,000 troops and an anti-drone system
- Predecessor
- Gustavo Petro (first-ever leftist government)
- Signature Agenda
- 'Plan Colombia II'
- Nickname
- 'The Tiger'
