Colombia inaugurated conservative President Abelardo de la Espriella, nicknamed "El Tigre," on Friday, August 7, 2026, marking a major political shift in Latin America. De la Espriella pledged to reverse much of former Socialist President Gustavo Petro’s left-wing agenda, adopting a tougher stance on security, economic policy, and relations with the United States.

The inauguration in Cali was attended by conservative leaders from the region, including Argentina's Javier Milei, Ecuador’s Daniel Noboa, and Chile’s José Antonio Kast. The U.S. delegation included Attorney General Todd Blanche. Spain's King Felipe VI and FIFA President Gianni Infantino were also present, according to the Associated Press.

Speaking at the Pichincha Battalion military base in Cali, De la Espriella said, "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," as reported by Reuters. He added, "I send a firm message to the Colombian people: the time has come to restore order, authority, and freedom."

De la Espriella inherits a country grappling with soaring violence, a fragmented Congress, and a $34 billion financing gap. Despite winning the presidency, he did not secure control of Congress, facing a numerically large but poorly disciplined coalition. "His agenda will be negotiated bill by bill," the report noted.

His administration follows four years of Petro’s "Total Peace" strategy, which saw expanding coca cultivation and strained U.S. relations. De la Espriella vows to rebuild ties with the United States while addressing Colombia’s pressing challenges.

Abelardo de la Espriella inauguration

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