Abelardo Gabriel de la Espriella Otero, a Colombian lawyer, is running for the presidency of Colombia with a platform centered on authority [1].
His candidacy gained significant viral attention last month, reflecting a growing regional appetite for strong-man leadership styles similar to those seen in El Salvador. De la Espriella has been nicknamed “el Bukele colombiano” due to his physical resemblance and political approach reminiscent of President Nayib Bukele [2].
De la Espriella is 47 years old [3]. Born in Bogotá and raised in Montería [3], he built a career as a litigator before entering the political arena. While some reports describe him as a right-wing candidate, others classify him as part of the “ultraderecha,” or far-right [1, 4].
The candidate has been candid about his motivations and goals for the country. “Quiero imponer autoridad en Colombia,” he said [1]. Beyond governance, he has spoken openly about his drive for wealth, stating, “Me la pasaba todo el día viendo la manera de hacer plata,” he said [3].
His rise has drawn international attention, including coverage on TVN’s “Buenos Días A Todos” in Chile [2]. During the broadcast, the host said that some users have dubbed him the “Colombian Bukele” because of his style and appearance [2].
There are conflicting reports regarding his current electoral standing. Some sources suggest he has become the most voted candidate and is heading toward a second round of elections [1]. Other reports state he is a candidate with a possibility of victory, but have not yet labeled him the definitive front-runner [4].
““Quiero imponer autoridad en Colombia.””
The emergence of a 'Bukele-style' candidate in Colombia suggests a shift in voter priorities toward security and authority over traditional democratic norms. By explicitly linking his image to the Salvadoran president, De la Espriella is tapping into a broader Latin American trend where strong-man personas are used to promise rapid stability in the face of systemic instability.
