Latin America under the reign of Trump and God

In August 2026, two right-wing leaders took office in Latin America, marking a shift toward more conservative governance in the region. In Peru, Keiko Fujimori assumed the presidency on July 28, while in Colombia, Abelardo de la Espriella was sworn in as president on August 7. Both leaders have been associated with far-right ideologies, drawing comparisons to the political style of former U.S. President Donald Trump. The Colombian inauguration, held in the city of Cali, reflected this influence through its emphasis on spectacle, religious symbolism, and nationalist rhetoric. De la Espriella, a lawyer with little prior experience in politics, has positioned himself as a devout Christian, aligning his administration with conservative Catholic and evangelical groups. His campaign was backed by a coalition similar to the one led by former President Álvaro Uribe, who had previously opposed the 2016 peace agreement with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). This coalition framed the agreement as promoting a “gender ideology,” a term used by conservatives to critique progressive social policies. De la Espriella’s government has continued this ideological stance, emphasizing traditional values and rejecting international human rights norms. Before taking office, De la Espriella invited members of his incoming cabinet to a spiritual retreat near Barranquilla, where they engaged in prayer, viewed AI-generated scenes from Jesus' life, and received Bibles. He emphasized that placing God at the center of decision-making was essential to building a great nation. Despite Colombia's secular constitution, which replaced the 1886 law establishing Catholicism as the state religion, De la Espriella has sought to integrate religious elements into public policy. The new president has drawn support from both the United States and Israel. His inauguration ceremony, held outside the traditional left-leaning capital of Bogotá, featured high-profile guests including King Felipe VI of Spain and U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche. The event highlighted a growing trend of right-wing leaders in Latin America, such as Argentina’s Javier Milei, Chile’s José Antonio Kast, Ecuador’s Daniel Noboa, Honduras’ Nasry Asfura, and Paraguay’s Santiago Peña. Notably absent was El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele, a key inspiration for De la Espriella, who sent his deputy, Félix Ulloa, to represent him. Bukele, known for his tough security policies and close ties with Israel, had previously severed diplomatic relations with the country following Israel’s military actions in Gaza. However, De la Espriella has embraced Bukele’s approach, advocating for large-scale prisons to combat crime. This strategy coincided with renewed clashes between the Colombian military and FARC dissidents in the Cauca region, near Cali, on August 9. De la Espriella’s government has also restored diplomatic ties with Israel, signaling a broader alignment with right-wing global movements. Military backing from the United States and Israel underscores the geopolitical implications of De la Espriella’s leadership. His administration faces challenges in balancing domestic demands for security with regional stability and international expectations. The rise of these leaders reflects a broader political realignment in Latin America, driven by nationalist and religious agendas. As their policies take shape, the impact on regional dynamics and international relations will continue to unfold.