De la Espriella sets ten armed group leaders as his target for his first 90 days

MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Monday, August 10th 2026 - 08:32 UTC

The first results came over the weekend

Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella has pledged to capture or kill ten leaders of illegal armed groups during the first 90 days of his term, which began on Friday in Cali. The commitment, made during his campaign, is the centerpiece of the “shock plan” with which the new president seeks to reverse the negotiation policy of his predecessor, Gustavo Petro.

De la Espriella inherits a country with nearly 29,000 members of organized armed groups and at least 14 zones of active dispute between illegal actors, according to security force estimates compiled by the Fundación Ideas para la Paz. The most critical areas are Catatumbo and Arauca, on the Venezuelan border; Cauca and Nariño, on the Pacific coast; Putumayo, bordering Ecuador; and the jungle department of Guaviare.