Who is Colombia's self-proclaimed 'Tiger' president?

Colombia's newly inaugurated President Abelardo de la Espriella, often referred to as the nation's "Tiger," brings a blend of legal expertise and flamboyant business ventures to the Oval Office. A millionaire with a penchant for attention-grabbing spectacle, de la Espriella transitioned from representing controversial clients, including drug-trafficking paramilitaries and football stars, to promising a decisive crackdown on crime and insurgency.

During his campaign, he leaned heavily into his self-proclaimed moniker, sharing AI-generated images of himself as a fanged tiger and vowing to wage war on crime. In his inauguration speech, delivered from a military garrison in Cali, de la Espriella vowed to restore order with an iron hand and defend democracy, both by reason and force. Despite his hardline promises, his incoming cabinet is comprised of familiar right-wing politicians, signaling continuity in Colombia's political landscape.

De la Espriella's transformation from an atheist to one guided by Judeo-Christian principles further underscores his cultural counterrevolution. Supporters view him as a decisive leader ready to confront entrenched violence, while critics caution that his confrontational style and admiration for figures like US President Donald Trump and Argentina's Javier Milei could deepen divisions in a deeply polarized nation.

Even de la Espriella's personal anecdotes have stirred controversy, such as his youthful prank of tying fireworks to cats.

From a childhood described as carefree to a jet-set legal career, de la Espriella's journey to the presidency has forged a narrative of success and self-reliance, a blueprint he advocates for Colombia to follow. As "The Tiger" faces the challenge of governing a deeply divided country, his legacy will be shaped by his ability to bridge the gap and unite Colombia in the wake of his divisive campaign.