Colombia’s new president joins a right-wing wave facing tough reality

Colombia’s newly elected president, Abelardo de la Espriella, faces a formidable challenge in governing a deeply divided nation. Despite campaigning on fiscal austerity inspired by Argentina’s Javier Milei and security policies reminiscent of El Salvador’s Nayib Bukele, de la Espriella is now grappling with a wide budget deficit, soaring inflation, high interest rates and escalating security concerns due to a record coca production.

The region is witnessing a right-wing wave, with presidents like Chile’s José Antonio Kast and Peru’s Keiko Fujimori also facing tough governance realities. While Fujimori’s approval ratings are lower, Kast’s honeymoon period has ended amid economic struggles. De la Espriella's inauguration is buoyed by US$9 billion in financing from Latin American development bank CAF.

However, his coalition's loss of Senate leadership highlights his lack of majority. Critics argue that right-wing governments often find themselves in a dilemma, balancing business demands for fiscal discipline and the need to maintain popular support. De la Espriella's strategy includes building mega-prisons to tackle crime, but dismantling organized crime networks remains a daunting task.

U.S. President Donald Trump has offered support, but his popularity in the region, particularly in Colombia, is waning.