Colombia shifts right as de la Espriella assumes presidency with hardline security and economic pledges

New right-wing Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella was sworn into office on Friday, vowing in his inaugural address to launch a fierce crackdown on drug trafficking, end peace talks with armed groups, and implement strict austerity measures to restore economic confidence.   De la Espriella, 48, an ally of US P

Trump ally Abelardo De La ‌Espriella vows to start ‘profound transformation’ of country’s destiny as he is sworn in The ​Trump administration plans to provide $1bn in security assistance to the ⁠government of Colombia’s new ​rightwing ‌president, the US state department announced, soon after Abelardo De La ‌Espriella w

The far-right lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella was sworn in as president of Colombia Friday amid tight security at a ceremony at a university in Cali.

Latin America’s right-wing wave reaches Colombia on Friday, but the country’s new president is about to discover that governing a deeply divided nation is far harder than winning an election.