Abelardo de la Espriella: Colombia's hardline 'Tiger'

Abelardo de la Espriella, Colombia's new president, is a millionaire lawyer who took office Friday promising an “all-out war” on armed groups and a sharp break with the outgoing leftist government.

De la Espriella campaigned on security fears and a promise to restore order. He pledged to build “mega-prisons,” seek a military alliance with the United States and Israel, and reduce the size of the state.

During the campaign, he promoted himself as “The Tiger,” sharing AI-generated images of himself as a fanged tiger and presenting himself as the candidate willing to wage war on crime and insurgency. “I have the balls to restore order,” he said repeatedly.

Before politics, De la Espriella built a legal career that included representing drug-trafficking paramilitaries, fraudsters and football stars. He also lived in Florence, Italy, where he pursued opera and promoted rum, wine and a fashion brand called “De la Espriella Style.”

His message reached almost half of voters, and he won the presidential runoff by less than one percentage point. He has also called for a “cultural counterrevolution” based on what he describes as Judeo-Christian principles after previously being openly atheist.

De la Espriella has criticised the political establishment, but his incoming cabinet includes right-wing politicians. He now faces the task of governing after a divisive campaign.