New Colombia President Gives Guerrilla Groups 1-month Ultimatum To Surrender

Colombia’s president-elect, Abelardo de la Espriella, has given the country’s armed guerrilla groups a one-month ultimatum to surrender, signalling a tougher approach to security after winning a closely contested presidential election.

Speaking on Thursday in his first address since his victory was officially confirmed, the hard-right politician warned that his administration would not extend the same concessions offered by the outgoing government during peace negotiations.

“To all those acting outside the law, you have one month to arrange your submission,” the millionaire lawyer said.

“In my administration, there will be no generous offers or unacceptable concessions like those they received from the regime that is coming to an end,” he added, referring to the outgoing administration of President Gustavo Petro, which pursued dialogue with armed groups in an effort to end decades of conflict.

De la Espriella secured victory in Sunday’s election by less than one percentage point, ending Colombia’s first left-wing government under Petro. His election comes at a time when the South American country is experiencing its highest level of violence in a decade.

Throughout his campaign, the 47-year-old promised a hardline response to insecurity. In an interview with AFP, he said he intended to launch bombing campaigns against guerrilla fighters and build “mega-prisons” similar to those established by El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele.

Although he had previously called for the political left to be “gutted,” De la Espriella later softened his rhetoric during the campaign.

His defeated opponent, leftist candidate Ivan Cepeda, has warned that the opposition could resort to “peaceful civil disobedience” if necessary, while distancing himself from the post-election violence that followed Sunday’s vote.

The president-elect also pledged to strengthen Colombia’s military cooperation with the United States and Israel as part of his security strategy.

In a post on X on Wednesday, De la Espriella said Colombia and Israel would enjoy a relationship “like never before” after holding talks with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar.

Describing his electoral victory as an “epic triumph,” he said the outcome reflected the will of ordinary Colombians.

“It came from the people, against the parties, against political scheming, and against the establishment,” he said, adding, “I will not let you down.”

Meanwhile, a United Nations report released on Thursday showed that the cultivation of drug crops in Colombia, the world’s largest producer of cocaine, rose by 3.5 per cent in 2024 compared with the previous year.

Petro’s administration unsuccessfully sought to negotiate peace with criminal groups, but experts say some guerrilla groups used the talks to strengthen their operations.