Abelardo de la Espriella was sworn in as president of Colombia on Friday, marking the official start of a conservative administration that seeks to distance itself from the leftist policies of his predecessor, Gustavo Petro. De la Espriella, a 48-year-old lawyer known as “The Tiger,” assumed the role following a June 21 presidential runoff election in which he defeated far-left senator Iván Cepeda. His inauguration, held in the city of Cali for the first time in the nation’s history, took place amid heightened security due to recent terrorist threats and a failed bombing attempt. De la Espriella, who supports U.S. President Donald Trump and has expressed admiration for American political principles, pledged to combat organized crime, terrorism, and corruption while restoring economic stability and national security. The inauguration ceremony, hosted at the Arena USC amphitheater of the University of Cali, began at approximately 4:30 p.m. local time. De la Espriella swore in his vice president, José Manuel Restrepo, during the event. The ceremony was presided over by the head of the Colombian Senate, Honorio Miguel Henríquez Pineda, who presented the presidential sash to the newly elected leader. The choice of Cali as the venue for the inaugural event was notable, as all previous Colombian presidents had been sworn in in the capital, Bogotá. De la Espriella’s decision to hold the ceremony outside the capital underscored his desire to shift political focus away from the traditional center of power. In his inaugural address, delivered at the military base of Cantón Pichincha, De la Espriella thanked the Colombian people and his family, and acknowledged the support of religious faith in navigating the country’s challenges. He declared his intent to close a period of national disillusionment and embark on a transformative journey for the nation. “I send a firm message to the Colombian people, the time has come to restore order, authority, and freedom,” he said, asserting that his leadership would serve all citizens, regardless of their political affiliations. De la Espriella also honored the memory of slain conservative Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay, a prominent figure who had been a leading candidate for the 2026 presidential race before his assassination. He expressed gratitude for Turbay’s legacy and reaffirmed his commitment to upholding democratic values. Addressing the ongoing struggle against drug trafficking, De la Espriella emphasized the need to eradicate coca leaf cultivation, stating that negotiations with criminal organizations were no longer viable. He announced plans to build large-scale prisons to house the most dangerous elements within the country’s security apparatus. As the new commander-in-chief of Colombia’s armed forces, De la Espriella ordered immediate action against criminal groups engaged in drug-related activities. He also indicated that the names of organizations classified as terrorists by the army would be made public in the near future. In addition, he ruled out any attempts to amend the constitution or extend presidential terms, referencing the writings of Thomas Jefferson to argue that such moves would undermine the integrity of the republic. Meanwhile, outgoing President Gustavo Petro, a former member of the Marxist M19 guerrilla group and the first leftist president in Colombian history, has refused to acknowledge the legitimacy of De la Espriella’s election. Petro, who served as president until August 7, 2030, held a press conference in which he claimed the election was “stolen” by de la Espriella, warning of potential civil unrest if the inauguration proceeds as planned. Petro accused foreign entities, particularly Israel, of manipulating the election results and described them as “moneyed Israelis” orchestrating the outcome. He called for a complete rejection of the current administration and suggested that Iván Cepeda, his chosen successor, should assume the presidency instead. Despite these claims, international observers noted that the election was conducted transparently and without significant irregularities.
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