Colombia's Far-Right Shift Amid Disaster and Political Upheaval

• Attorney Abelardo de la Espriella has assumed the presidency of Colombia, marking the start of a far-right administration.
• A devastating earthquake struck the Chocó region on August 10, 2026, resulting in at least 250 deaths, shortly after the new government took office.
• Security incidents, including attacks on state infrastructure, have surged while the new administration announces a "Plan Colombia 2.0" backed by the U.S.

Policy Shifts and International Alignment

• The government is canceling plans for an embassy in Ramallah, prioritizing diplomatic ties with Israel and proposing to relocate the Colombian embassy to Jerusalem.
• It has joined the "Isaac Accords" and the "Shield of the Americas," a regional security coalition with other right-wing governments and U.S. support.
• Domestic priorities include building mega-prisons, implementing harsher penal measures, and dismantling the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP).

Social Impact and Resistance

• Supporters of the former Petro administration are experiencing "Petrotusa"—a period of mourning for progressive policies like land restitution, education reform, and pension improvements.
• Indigenous communities, particularly in the North of Cauca, fear the violent reversal of land reclamation efforts and the return of forced evictions under military-backed property protection for sugar interests.
• Grassroots movements, exemplified by slogans like "Death Shall Not Return," are organizing to defend territorial rights and provide community-led humanitarian aid in the wake of the earthquake.