New Colombia President pledges robust fight against crime, fiscal austerity in maiden speech
Colombia's new right-wing President, Abelardo De La Espriella, has pledged to implement strict fiscal austerity and a robust crackdown on criminal groups. His inaugural speech signals a significant rightward shift in Colombian policy, aligning with broader regional trends in Latin America.
Why it matters
The election of a hard-right outsider in Colombia marks a major shift in the country's approach to security and economic policy, potentially impacting regional stability.
Colombia’s new right-wing President Abelardo De La Espriella was sworn in on Friday (August 7, 2026), using his inaugural speech to pledge a vigorous fight against drug trafficking, as well as austerity measures to restore confidence in the economy. Mr. De La Espriella, 48, won June’s runoff on promises to crack down on armed groups, shrink the state by as much as 40% and revive the oil and gas sector. An ally of U.S. President Donald Trump, he represented people with ties to right-wing paramilitaries during his time as a lawyer. Mr. De La Espriella has never before held elected office.
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