Signal Colombia's De la Espriella Sworn In as President, Marking Sharp Rightward Political Shift

Summary

Abelardo de la Espriella was sworn in as the 36th President of Colombia, beginning a four-year term alongside Vice President Jose Manuel Restrepo. Breaking with tradition, the inauguration was held at a university arena in Santiago de Cali rather than at Congress in Bogota, under an unprecedented deployment of 11,000 security personnel. The choice was seen as a political message about governing from regions that had been heavily affected by the country's armed conflict. His term opens with a sharp shift to the far right following the leftist administration of Gustavo Petro, and he has pledged to confront armed groups with an iron fist. De la Espriella received the presidential sash from Senate President Honorio Henriquez and swore to faithfully uphold Colombia's constitution and laws. Analysts noted that he began his term having already cultivated a favorable relationship with Washington.