Colombia’s new president vows narcotics crackdown - Taipei Times

PRESIDENTIAL PLANS:

Abelardo de la Espriella wants to eliminate all coca crops, lower taxes for the rich and forge a military alliance with Washington and Israel

Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella vowed to restore order and eradicate “narco-terrorists” in a fiery first speech as leader on Friday.The US-backed millionaire flew by helicopter to address soldiers in a military garrison after his inauguration in the southwestern city of Cali.His mandate marks a sharp turn right for the Andean nation, with the 48-year-old keen to cozy up to Washington and come down hard on Colombia’s patchwork of armed groups.

Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella delivers a speech to the Pichincha Battalion in Cali, Colombia, on Friday.

Photo: AFP