Colombia entered a new political chapter as conservative President Abelardo de la Espriella was sworn into office Friday, pledging to reverse much of former President Gustavo Petro’s left-wing agenda and restore a tougher approach to security, economic policy and relations with the United States.Known by his nickname 'El Tigre' (the tiger), his inauguration marks one of the most significant political shifts in Latin America in recent years.After four years of Socialist President Gustavo Petro’s "Total Peace" strategy, expanding coca cultivation and increasingly strained relations with Washington, De la Espriella now faces the challenge of translating campaign promises into governing reality.He was joined at the inauguration by several conservative presidents from across the region, including Argentina's Javier Milei, Ecuador’s Daniel Noboa and Chile’s José Antonio Kast.
Acting U.S.Attorney General Todd Blanche was there as part of the U.S.
delegation.Spain's King Felipe VI and FIFA President Gianni Infantino were also in attendance, the Associated Press reported.TRUMP SAYS COLOMBIA'S 'EL TIGRE' WILL BE A 'GREAT PRESIDENT' AS SOCIALIST OPPONENT LAUNCHES LEGAL CHALLENGEAbelardo de la Espriella is sworn in as president of Colombia during the presidential inauguration at Arena USC on August 7, 2026 in Cali, Colombia.
(Gabriel Aponte/Getty Images)"I have come to close a long chapter of national resignation and, together with the people, embark on the most profound transformation of our destiny," De La Espriella said according to Reuters while speaking at the Pichincha Battalion military base in Cali."I send a firm message to the Colombian people: the time has come to restore order, authority, and freedom."Reuters said that one of his first acts as president was to join The Shield of the Americas, founded by President Trump.For the U.S., Colombia remains its closest security partner in South America, a key trading ally and one of the region’s largest rec...