Colombia’s new president vows to remake the country — and challenge its fragile peace
Colombia’s new president, Abelardo de la Espriella, has taken office promising a sharp break with the left-wing government of Gustavo Petro. His plans to reduce the state, promote private investment and use force against armed groups could reshape national policy, but also risk weakening an already fragile peace process in areas still affected by violence.
De la Espriella, a 48-year-old lawyer and businessman with no previous elected office, won June’s run-off by less than one percentage point, or about 252,000 votes. He has rejected Petro’s strategy of negotiating with armed groups, pledged tougher security measures and backed renewed oil and gas development; dissident former FARC factions, the ELN guerrillas and the Clan del Golfo remain active in several regions.
In short
- Colombia’s new president promises a major rightward policy shift.
- He will favour force over talks with armed groups.
- His narrow victory leaves a deeply divided country.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
De la Espriella's advocates argue that economic growth through private investment and reduced state inefficiency will address the poverty and inequality that fuel armed conflict, whilst a firmer security posture backed by credible enforcement will deter violence more effectively than negotiation, which armed groups have historically exploited tactically. They contend that previous dialogue-based approaches failed to deliver lasting peace and that decisive action restores state authority in contested regions.
The case against
Petro's supporters contend that military escalation without political dialogue perpetuates cycles of violence and recruitment, and that addressing root grievances through negotiation remains essential for sustainable peace, however fragile. They argue that abrupt policy shifts risk destabilising existing peace agreements, that private investment without accompanying social investment widens inequality and resentment, and that security operations risk civilian casualties that undermine rather than strengthen state legitimacy in affected communities.
Explained simply
Colombia is a country where decades of conflict have involved guerrilla groups, paramilitaries and state forces. A 2016 agreement between the government and the FARC rebels ended that group’s main insurgency, but some former fighters rejected the deal, and other armed groups remain active, particularly in rural areas.
Abelardo de la Espriella is a lawyer and businessman who won the presidency by a narrow margin, without having held elected office before. He succeeds Gustavo Petro, whose government sought talks with armed groups as part of an effort to reduce violence.
The new president’s plans to shrink the state, encourage private investment and take a tougher approach to armed groups could affect both economic policy and security. Whether those measures can reduce violence while sustaining progress towards peace matters to communities still living with conflict.