Abelardo De La Espriella was sworn in as president of Colombia on August 7, 2026, after defeating Senator Iván Cepeda in the June 21 presidential runoff election. De La Espriella succeeded President Gustavo Petro and entered national office without having previously held an elected government position.
The inauguration was held in Cali rather than Bogotá, where Colombian presidential inaugurations are traditionally conducted. De La Espriella used the location to emphasize his government's planned security policy toward guerrillas, criminal organizations, and other armed groups operating in southwestern Colombia and other parts of the country.
De La Espriella has stated that his administration will move away from Petro's policy of negotiating with multiple armed organizations. His government has indicated that groups refusing to disarm could face expanded military operations. Armed organizations active in Colombia include the National Liberation Army, dissident factions originating from the former FARC guerrilla movement, and the Clan del Golfo criminal organization.
The new administration also announced changes in Colombia's foreign relations. De La Espriella said Colombia would restore diplomatic relations with Israel, end relations with Cuba and Nicaragua, and participate in the United States-backed Shield of the Americas security initiative focused on drug trafficking and regional security.
The United States announced plans for approximately one billion dollars in security assistance for the new Colombian government. The proposed assistance is intended to support security cooperation, counternarcotics operations, and other shared objectives and requires cooperation with the United States Congress before being fully implemented.
