Abelardo de la Espriella, Colombian president and flamboyant millionaire

Californian-born, self-proclaimed "Tiger" and wealthy lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella assumed the presidency of Colombia on August 8, 2023. He took office following a closely contested runoff election, securing victory by less than one percentage point. De la Espriella's campaign revolved around a tough stance against crime and insurgency, promising a forceful response from the Colombian state.

Before his political career, De la Espriella lived in Florence, Italy, where he indulged in opera, traveled by private jet, and promoted his rum, wine, and fashion brand "De la Espriella Style." This flamboyant lifestyle contrasted with his image as a forceful leader, but it nonetheless resonated with voters and helped him secure the presidency.

De la Espriella's inauguration speech emphasized the need to restore order and defend democracy, both "by reason or by force." He pledged to rebuild the Republic and vowed to wage war on armed groups, build mega-prisons, establish a military alliance with the United States and Israel, and drastically reduce government spending. His rhetoric has often been incendiary, with claims such as calling for the Colombian left to be "gutted."

De la Espriella's cabinet, however, largely consists of right-wing politicians with whom he shares conservative values. De la Espriella himself has described his personal beliefs as Judeo-Christian and has called for a "cultural counterrevolution" to restore traditional values in Colombia. Despite his hardline approach, his supporters see him as a decisive leader prepared to confront the entrenched violence in the country.

However, critics warn that De la Espriella's confrontational style and admiration for figures like US President Donald Trump, Argentina's Javier Milei, and El Salvador's Nayib Bukele could deepen divisions in a nation already marked by deep polarization and bloodshed. Even his personal stories, such as the controversial tale of tying fireworks to cats as a child, have added to the mix of controversy surrounding the newly-elected president.