Colombia’s De la Espriella Takes Power, Vows Crime Crackdown

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Or sign-in if you have an account.Abelardo de la Espriella takes the presidential oath during an inauguration ceremony at the Santiago de Cali University in Cali, Colombia, on Aug. 7. Photographer: Jair F. Coll/Bloomberg Photo by Jair F. Coll /Bloomberg(Bloomberg) — Abelardo de la Espriella was sworn in as Colombia’s president Friday, marking the start of a conservative government that promises a sharp break with Gustavo Petro’s leftist administration as concerns over the nation’s finances and increased violence cloud the transition.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLYSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESCreate an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountThe 48-year-old lawyer took the oath before Congress at a ceremony in Cali, becoming the first Colombian president in recent history inaugurated outside Bogotá. He succeeds Petro, the nation’s first leftist leader, who declined to attend after repeatedly questioning the legitimacy of De la Espriella’s narrow election victory over Iván Cepeda.“The time for restoring order, authority and freedom has begun,” De la Espriella said in his inaugural address, promising to build mega-prisons, use the military to fight criminal organizations and eradicate coca crops with herbicides. “Those who did not believe in my proposal will find, in the facts, that this project will serve the common good.”Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againThe new president said that attempts to negotiate with criminals “is exhausted,” referring to Petro’s attempts at peace talks with the armed groups that effectively dominate huge swaths of the country. Members of organized crime groups “face two paths: submit to the rule of law or confront the resolute force of the Colombian state,” he said. “No heinous crime will be treated with kid gloves by the Colombian state.”Argentina’s Javier Milei, Spain’s King Felipe VI and FIFA President Gianni Infantino were in attendance at the swearing-in ceremony at a Cali university, but De la Espriella moved to a nearby military facility and instead gave his inaugural address to a field full of members of Colombia’s military. “Make no mistake, the tiger has arrived,” De la Espriella said. “They will learn just how hard it bites when it comes to defending the Colombian people.”Shortly after the president’s speech, the US announced plans for a $1 billion financial package to support his administration’s fight against crime and strengthen Colombia’s energy sector, extending President Donald Trump’s backing of De la Espriella during his presidential campaign. Some of De la Espriella’s most immediate challenges will be to turn an electoral mandate of promises of lower taxes, stronger security and a smaller state into legislation. His party holds only four seats in the Senate, forcing him to rely on support from traditional conservative and centrist parties to pass his economic program and other major initiatives.De la Espriella also pledged to revive oil and gas exploration, boost Ecopetrol’s finances and restore what he described as “responsible fracking.” His approach represents a reversal from Petro’s efforts to curb fossil-fuel development. He also said he would issue a decree freezing public spending. Security concerns mounted in the days leading to the inauguration, with an alleged bomb plot linked to dissident fighters from Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known as the FARC, that authorities foiled near Cali just days earlier. A car bomb in the northeastern city of Cúcuta wounded 12 police officers and three civilians last weekend. This advertisement has not loaded yet.This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.The transfer of power unfolded amid open hostility between the incoming and outgoing presidents. Petro has alleged, without presenting evidence accepted by electoral authorities, that foreign actors and digital manipulation altered the result. Colombia’s electoral authorities certified De la Espriella’s victory, and international observers have not supported Petro’s claims.Speaking in front of supporters in Barranquilla earlier today, Cepeda said he did not consider De la Espriella’s claim to the presidency legitimate because he held US citizenship, which made him “loyal to the US constitution and laws imparted in that nation.” In his final news conference this week, Petro repeated allegations that the election was tainted by fraud and warned Colombia could face a “renewed civil war.”—With assistance from Oscar Medina and Valentine Hilaire.(Updates with comments on US plans for financial support in the seventh paragraph.)Notice for the Postmedia NetworkThis website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.