Colombia's New President Vows Hard Line on Crime in Cali Inauguration

Colombia's newly inaugurated president, Abelardo de la Espriella, used his first address to the nation to declare a decisive shift in the country's approach to security, promising to confront illegal armed groups with force after years of failed peace negotiations.

In a break with tradition, the swearing-in ceremony was held not in the capital, Bogotá, but in the volatile southwestern city of Cali. The choice of venue was a deliberate signal of the new administration's priorities, placing the spotlight on a region long plagued by drug trafficking and violence.

Speaking from Cali, de la Espriella delivered a firm message to the Colombian people. "The time has come to restore order, authority and freedom," he said, referencing the city's history of suffering from terrorism and the actions of violent groups.

The president, who calls himself "El Tigre" (The Tiger), was unequivocal about his strategy. "The option of dialogue has been completely exhausted," he declared, directly repudiating the policies of his predecessor, Gustavo Petro, who had pursued negotiations with armed groups. De la Espriella argued that the state had been too lenient in the past and promised "decisive and precise action against crime."

Following the ceremony, de la Espriella visited a military battalion in Cali to address the troops. The visit was intended to boost morale and deliver a stark warning to illegal groups operating in the area: surrender or be declared "military targets."

A political outsider who has never held public office, the 48-year-old lawyer and businessman won a close runoff election on June 21 against Senator Iván Cepeda, an ally of the outgoing president. His inauguration marks a significant shift to the right for the region.

The ceremony was attended by a host of international dignitaries, including Spain's King Felipe VI, acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, and several Latin American leaders such as Argentina's Javier Milei, Ecuador's Daniel Noboa, and Chile's José Antonio Kast.