Trump ally Abelardo de la Espriella sworn in as Colombia president

Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella assumed office on Friday, promising to battle drug-running insurgents and strengthen ties with the United States. A flamboyant former lawyer, de la Espriella's conservative shift marked a notable change for Colombia. The 48-year-old leader, who holds dual US and Colombian citizenship, vowed to target cocaine labs in the jungle, construct large prisons, and reduce government size.

Following his inauguration in Cali, the nation's salsa capital, alongside Vice-President Jose Manuel Restrepo, both de la Espriella and Restrepo displayed their signature military salute. The inauguration, held in Cali instead of Colombia's traditional capital, Bogota, was attended by dignitaries including Gianni Infantino, the embattled Fifa president, and Todd Blanche, Trump's acting attorney general, who represented the US delegation.

De la Espriella's narrow win of less than one percent ended four years of Colombia's first leftist administration. The new president is tasked with leading a divided Congress where he lacks a majority. Security concerns loomed during the inauguration, with 11,000 troops and an anti-drone system deployed due to guerrilla pipe bomb attacks in Cali.

Facing an uphill battle to establish a majority in the Legislature, supporters hope de la Espriella will take a firm stance against crime and rebel groups after years of failing peace negotiations. "This government has a lot to prove," proclaimed 46-year-old Marisol Peira. Petro, de la Espriella's leftist predecessor, attempted but failed to negotiate peace with the country's various armed groups, who now primarily focus on making profits from drug trafficking and other illicit activities.

In a twist, right-wing leaders from Latin American nations, following electoral victories, have backed de la Espriella's campaign for security. Upon assuming office, de la Espriella plans to form a military alliance with the US and Israel to pursue his "Plan Colombia II," a continuation of the previous security-focused agreement.