Trump ally De la Espriella becomes Colombia’s president, vows crackdown on drug trafficking gangs
Abelardo de la Espriella, a President Donald Trump ally, took office as president of Colombia after he was sworn in on Friday.
Mr Espriella, upon taking the oath of office, vowed to boost ties with the United States and tackle armed groups and drug trafficking networks in Colombia.
“The option of dialogue” with armed groups and drug traffickers “is completely exhausted,” Mr Espriella said, promising to restore “order, authority and freedom” to the South American nation.
He added, “There will be no room for manoeuvres that undermine the stability of the nation.”
The 48-year-old former lawyer won the June 21 run-off election, defeating Senator Ivan Cepeda, who was backed by outgoing President Gustavo Petro.
Mr Petro refused to attend Mr Espriella’s swearing-in ceremony on Friday, claiming that the election was fraught with irregularities and calling for mass protests.
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