President Abelardo de la Espriella pledged to capture or kill 10 [1] leaders of illegal armed groups during his first 90 days in office.
This shift marks a fundamental departure from the previous administration's approach to internal conflict. By prioritizing military action over diplomacy, the new presidency seeks to dismantle the command structures of illegal organizations that have long challenged state authority.
De la Espriella began his term on Friday, Aug. 9, 2026 [1], in Cali. During the start of his presidency, he said he has a "shock plan" designed to aggressively target the leadership of armed groups [1]. This strategy is intended to reverse the negotiation policies established by his predecessor, Gustavo Petro [1].
The new president's focus on a specific number of targets—10 leaders [1]—establishes a concrete benchmark for the success of his early security operations. The administration aims to use these high-value targets to destabilize illegal networks, and restore government control over contested territories.
While the previous government emphasized peace talks and negotiated settlements, the current administration is moving toward a hard-line security posture. The focus has shifted from the negotiating table to the battlefield as the state attempts to neutralize those leading illegal armed factions [1].
Security forces are now expected to prioritize the identification and location of these leaders to meet the 90-day deadline. This timeline creates an immediate window of high-intensity military activity across the country.
“President Abelardo de la Espriella pledged to capture or kill 10 leaders of illegal armed groups.”
The transition from Gustavo Petro's negotiation-heavy policy to Abelardo de la Espriella's 'shock plan' represents a return to a security-first doctrine in Colombia. By setting a public, numerical goal for the first 90 days, the president is tying his early political legitimacy to military success. This approach may lead to an immediate increase in combat operations and a breakdown of existing ceasefires with illegal groups.
