Colombia's shift
Abelardo de la Espriella asume la presidencia sin una trayectoria política previa que indique cómo gobernará las instituciones
Colombia is joining the shift to the right that is changing governments one after another in the American continent. Abelardo de la Espriella, a lawyer with no prior political experience, has been the new president since this Friday. He takes over from Gustavo Petro, who has been the first left-wing president of Colombian democracy.
The change decided by Colombians at the polls is significant: for the next four years, the country will have a government that promises free-market policies, a tough stance against crime and a conservative vision on social issues. De la Espriella's lack of political background helped him in his election, as he was able to present himself as being outside the power structures.
But this same lack of credentials casts a shadow of uncertainty over how he will administer a country of 50 million inhabitants in practice, an economy with mediocre growth, deep problems of violence and inequality and great expectations of change.
Translated by urgent.news. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
