Abelardo de la Espriella faces criticism over military operation footage

President Abelardo de la Espriella has faced scrutiny following the release of footage from ‘Operación Azarías’ in Guaviare, which shows the leader walking among bodies wrapped in white sheets. While the President presented the footage as a demonstration of his commitment to defeating terrorism, the imagery has drawn sharp criticism from the Ombudsman, Iris Marín Ortiz, who argued that the government should not use death as a demonstration of power or a tool to instill fear.

Reports indicate that the operation resulted in the deaths of 23 individuals, including two minors, a fact confirmed by Medicina Legal. The involvement of minors has raised concerns regarding violations of International Humanitarian Law, as children recruited by armed groups are legally classified as victims of the conflict.

Additionally, a viral video circulating on social media, which appeared to show the President kicking the bags containing the deceased, has been identified as false. Analysis suggests the clip was manipulated using artificial intelligence, noting distortions in image quality and unnatural movement when the bags were struck.