PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release
August 7, 2026
Contact: press@alianzaamericas.org / (773) 638-4278
Today, Abelardo de la Espriella takes office as president of Colombia. He came to power through a political movement that drew on the fear-based narratives, sensationalist aesthetics, and divisive rhetoric of the far right—a phenomenon that is increasingly prevalent throughout the Americas. Colombia faces multiple challenges related to the armed conflict, drug trafficking, organized crime, and economic development—the latter of which must generate well-being for all people. The emigration of Colombians continues to be an unmistakable and painful sign that people cannot find the security or opportunities they need to live in the country.
De la Espriella has never held public office, and he will face a steep learning curve. Some of his statements and attitudes since being declared the winner of the election are deeply troubling. Further decentralization is a pressing need in a country made up of regions, each facing very diverse challenges. However, governing from Barranquilla, taking office in Cali, and other symbolic and performative actions do not constitute progress toward decentralization, nor do they do anything for rural Colombia. They merely represent public spending and populist gestures that complicate the complex task of governing 53 million people across 1,140 km².
One of the most significant challenges facing the country is violence. De la Espriella announced a military strategy, with U.S. cooperation, within the framework of the Shield of the Americas. Negotiation is a challenging endeavor, but lasting peace requires investments in justice, strong civilian institutions, economic opportunity, and respect for human rights alongside meaningful efforts to dismantle armed groups. Military force alone has never produced sustainable peace. The country is suffering from the consequences of the excessive use of force. The Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP) has revealed the consequences of prioritizing combat deaths and has contributed substantially to addressing the impact of the conflict on Colombian society. However, the person taking office today has announced that he will opt for armed confrontation and seek to end the JEP. The dead, the wounded, the recruitment of minors, and forced displacement must be addressed through a thoughtful strategy.
Other announcements, such as the construction of massive prisons and the appeal to self-defense groups, are deeply troubling. Replicating the Bukele model is to condemn the country to massive human rights violations, and returning to the Uribe model is to ignore history and create greater insecurity for Colombians.
Governing Colombia is not easy. Addressing systemic inequities, inequality, exclusion, corruption, and violence against social leaders is a significant challenge that requires an approach focused on its root causes. The narrow margin of the electoral victory—just 251,000 votes—reiterates the importance of the opposition’s role, especially in terms of political oversight. The other institutions—such as the judiciary, the Attorney General’s Office, and the Comptroller General’s Office—will be key to ensuring the rule of law. Colombia does not need a miracle. What it needs is a commitment to prioritize democracy, human rights, and investment in people over sensationalist solutions that fail to address the root causes of the problems.
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Alianza Americas is a transnational network of migrant-led organizations in the United States. We advocate for social justice, equity, and human rights in the Americas.
