Colombia’s President De La Espriella pledges drug crackdown and austerity

Cali, Colombia. Colombia’s new right-wing President Abelardo De La Espriella was sworn in on Friday, pledging a vigorous campaign against drug trafficking and austerity measures aimed at restoring confidence in the economy.

The 48-year-old, who won June’s runoff election, also pledged to restore order, authority and freedom during his inaugural address.

Security and armed groups

De La Espriella was sworn in at a university auditorium before dignitaries and officials, then addressed troops at the Pichincha Battalion military base in Cali.

“I have come to close a long chapter of national resignation and, together with the people, embark on the most profound transformation of our destiny,” he said. “I send a firm message to the Colombian people: the time has come to restore order, authority, and freedom.”

In a 75-minute speech at the base, he told criminal gangs and “narco-terrorist groups” they must submit to the rule of law or face a determined response from the state and security forces.

He said the option of peace talks with armed groups had been “completely exhausted” and vowed to “definitively eradicate the scourge of illicit crops.” He said aerial herbicides that do not harm human health or the environment would be used to destroy coca, the plant used to make cocaine.

Economic agenda

De La Espriella pledged to freeze public spending and pursue tax reform to simplify Colombia’s payment regime, with the aim of boosting investment and employment.

He said popular social programmes, including some introduced by his leftist predecessor Gustavo Petro, would be preserved.

During the campaign, De La Espriella promised to crack down on armed groups, reduce the size of the state by as much as 40% and revive the oil and gas sector.

He has not previously held elected office and represented people with ties to right-wing paramilitaries during his career as a lawyer.

Regional context and policy challenges

De La Espriella’s election was part of a rightward shift across Latin America, where weak economies and rising crime have reshaped voter priorities in countries including Peru, Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Bolivia and Panama.

An ally of U.S. President Donald Trump, De La Espriella said Colombia would join the Shield of the Americas programme founded by Trump as one of his first acts as president.

While he may advance some policies by decree, analysts say many proposals will require support from Colombia’s divided congress and could be modified during negotiations.