Abelardo de la Espriella

Also known as: The Tiger · President Abelardo de la Espriella

Colombian President pursuing hardline security policy against drug trafficking and guerrilla groups with US military support since August 2026.

2026-05-292026-09-26

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

June 2026
21 JunCitizen Digital
… Colombians vote Sunday to pick the country's new president -- a choice between hard-right Abelardo de la Espriella and his leftist rival Ivan Cepeda. …
Colombian forces kill deputy of country's most-wanted man: ministry
May 2026
29 MayCitizen Digital
… His right-wing rivals, led by tough-talking lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella, a fan of US President Donald Trump, argue that the rebels need to be crushed militarily. …
Clash between guerrilla groups in Colombia leaves 48 dead

World & Region

Infantino likely to remain FIFA president amid power struggle

The News

FIFA President Gianni Infantino appears set to keep his position following the collapse of his private-investment plan, but senior figures in world football expect a shift from succession battles to disputes over the terms of his continued presidency, potentially resulting in governance compromises or prolonged conflict over competitions, finances, and the international calendar.

25 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Yesterday

Infantino likely to remain FIFA president amid power struggle
FIFA President Gianni Infantino appears set to keep his position following the collapse of his private-investment plan, but senior figures in world football expect a shift from succession battles to disputes over the terms of his continued presidency, potentially resulting in governance compromises or prolonged conflict over competitions, finances, and the international calendar.
25 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Monday 14 September

Colombian president to challenge court orders on security policy
Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella said he will challenge court orders blocking his hardline security policy against drug trafficking guerrilla groups, which he has pursued with US military support since taking office last month. Since his election, courts have ordered suspension of bombings when minors may be present, halted glyphosate spraying of coca crops, and required removal of graphic social media videos.
14 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Friday 11 September

US Secretary Rubio concludes Latin America tour in Peru
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrapped up a tour of Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru on Thursday, meeting with Peru's President Keiko Fujimori to deepen cooperation against drug cartels and organized crime. Peru, one of the world's largest cocaine producers, recently joined the US-led "Shield of the Americas" coalition to combat drug trafficking and regional security threats.
11 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Friday 4 September

DR Congo pledges to move Israel embassy to Jerusalem
The Democratic Republic of Congo said Thursday it would move its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, joining a small group of countries including the United States in recognizing Israeli sovereignty in the contested holy city. The announcement followed a visit by President Felix-Antoine Tshisekedi, who met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss strengthening diplomatic relations.
4 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Thursday 3 September

DR Congo promises to move Israel embassy to Jerusalem
The Democratic Republic of Congo said it would relocate its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, joining a small group of countries including the United States in the symbolic step. President Felix-Antoine Tshisekedi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met and spoke of strengthening diplomatic relations, though no timeline was given for the move.
3 September 2026 · The Standard →

Tuesday 1 September

Colombia's new government kills 20 guerrillas in bombing raid
Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella said a dawn bombing raid in Guaviare killed 20 narco-terrorists, captured five, and rescued two minors from guerrillas led by the country's most-wanted rebel, known as Ivan Mordisco.
1 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Tuesday 18 August

FIFA chief Infantino parts with critic Lamour
FIFA President Gianni Infantino's chief operating officer Kevin Lamour has departed after breaking ranks with senior FIFA directors and criticizing Infantino's plan to bring private investment into FIFA competitions, including World Cups. Lamour had refused to sign off on the deal and described it as "the project of one person."
18 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Saturday 15 August

Qatar disputes AFC's attack on FIFA president Infantino
Qatar challenged the Asian Football Confederation over its decision to join UEFA and CONCACAF in an open letter attacking FIFA President Gianni Infantino, saying it was not consulted before the three confederations issued the statement.
15 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Thursday 13 August

Colombia enters final phase of quake search as toll hits 265
A magnitude 7.4 earthquake, the strongest to hit Colombia this century, has killed 265 people, injured more than 3,500, and left almost 500 missing. Rescuers are in their final hours of a critical 72-hour window for finding survivors beneath collapsed buildings in cities including Cali and Pereira.
13 August 2026 · The Standard →

Tuesday 11 August

Venezuela's June earthquake death toll reaches 6,301
The death toll from Venezuela's twin earthquakes in June rose to 6,301 as of Monday, according to the National Assembly chief, with around 1,400 people still missing and some 24,000 displaced.
11 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Colombia's largest earthquake in years kills at least 132
A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck Chocó province at 07:34 local time, killing at least 132 people with more feared trapped under collapsed buildings, and injuring more than 480. The quake was felt across western Colombia, with severe damage concentrated in Pereira and surrounding cities including the Valle del Cauca region.
11 August 2026 · Capital News →
Colombia earthquake kills at least 111, rescue efforts continue
A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck Colombia's coffee region and Pacific areas, killing at least 111 people and damaging at least 1,500 buildings. President Abelardo de la Espriella declared a state of emergency as volunteers and rescuers searched through rubble for survivors.
11 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Monday 10 August

Magnitude 7.4 earthquake kills 18 in Colombia
A powerful earthquake struck Colombia and neighboring countries on August 10, 2026, with a magnitude of 7.4 and epicenter 100 km deep in the west of the country, killing at least 18 people and damaging or collapsing buildings in several cities.
10 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake strikes Colombia, kills 18
A 7.4-magnitude earthquake hit western Colombia on Monday, killing at least 18 people with the epicenter 100 km deep. The quake was also felt in Ecuador, Panama and Venezuela, causing collapsed buildings across Colombian cities including Pereira, Cali and Quibdo.
10 August 2026 · The Standard →
Colombia declares emergency after 7.4 magnitude earthquake kills 111
A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, killing at least 111 people, injuring 87, and damaging over 1,000 buildings. The quake's epicenter was in the coastal Choco region, with major damage reported in cities including Pereira, Manizales, and Cali.
10 August 2026 · The Standard →

Saturday 8 August

FIFA chief Infantino wins support from South American football leaders
FIFA president Gianni Infantino received backing from South American football figures during a visit to Colombia, where he attended the inauguration of the Colombian president. The visit comes as Infantino faces a crisis at world football's governing body, including loss of confidence from UEFA following backlash against his plan to allow private investment in the World Cup.
8 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Colombia's new president vows to defeat narco-terrorists
Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella, in his first speech, pledged to "relentlessly defeat narco-terrorism" and join the US-led Shield of the Americas anti-cartel alliance, signaling a sharp rightward turn and stronger ties with Washington. The US State Department announced intent to provide $1 billion in security assistance to support the new administration.
8 August 2026 · The Standard →
FIFA chief Infantino visits Colombia, gains South American support
FIFA president Gianni Infantino visited Colombia on Friday and received backing from leading South American football figures including CONMEBOL president Alejandro Dominguez and Colombian federation president Ramon Jesurun. The visit comes as Infantino faces criticism over a scrapped plan to open the World Cup to private investment.
8 August 2026 · The Standard →

Tuesday 21 July

Colombia president-elect alleges guerrilla assassination plot
Colombia's president-elect Abelardo de la Espriella's team alleged on Monday that guerrilla groups including the ELN and FARC dissidents were plotting to assassinate him before he takes office on August 7. De la Espriella, who won last month's presidential runoff by less than a percentage point, has pledged to abandon outgoing leader Gustavo Petro's policy of negotiating peace with armed groups in favor of a crackdown.
21 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Colombia president-elect alleges guerrilla assassination plot
Colombia's president-elect Abelardo de la Espriella's security team alleged that guerrilla groups, including the National Liberation Army and FARC dissidents, were plotting to assassinate him before his August 7 inauguration. De la Espriella, a US-backed millionaire lawyer who won last month's presidential runoff, has pledged to abandon the outgoing leader's peace negotiations with armed groups in favor of a crackdown.
21 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Sunday 21 June

Colombia kills deputy of country's most-wanted guerrilla leader
Colombia's defense ministry said military and police forces killed Marlon, the second-in-command to Ivan Mordisco, leader of the Central General Staff dissident group, one of the largest armed groups in the country. Marlon headed the group in the southwestern Cauca region and was responsible for an April attack that killed 21 people.
21 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Friday 29 May

Clashes between FARC factions leave 48 dead in Colombian Amazon
Fighting between dissident factions of the disbanded FARC guerrilla movement in Colombia's Catatumbo region killed 48 people, according to a local mayor. The violence occurs amid wider clashes between smaller guerrilla groups competing for control of jungle territory and revenues from drug trafficking and illegal mining.
29 May 2026 · Citizen Digital →