Colombia's President‑Elect Abelardo de la Espriella orders cartels and guerrillas to surrender within a month

President‑elect Abelardo de la Espriella, whose narrow victory was officially certified, announced a one‑month deadline for all drug cartels and guerrilla groups in Colombia to lay down arms. He rejected the negotiation approach of outgoing President Gustavo Petro, promising that the state will deploy police, military and prosecutors to enforce the ultimatum starting on August 7.

De la Espriella said his administration will seek security partnerships with the United States and Israel to combat drug trafficking and restore public safety. He also announced an anti‑corruption audit of the previous government. Guerrilla leaders, including the National Liberation Army, have not agreed to the terms, and the deadline’s effectiveness remains to be seen. A recent UN report noted that coca cultivation peaked under Petro, underscoring the security challenges the new president‑elect aims to address.