A Video That Shakes Colombia
On Friday, September 4, 2026, President Abelardo De La Espriella posted a video on his social media channels that has triggered a wave of criticism and debate across Colombia. The footage shows him walking between rows of white body bags, which he says contain the remains of 23 guerrillas 'neutralized' during a military operation in the Colombian Amazon.
The far-right leader, who took office in August 2026, had promised a 'total war' against illegal armed groups during his campaign. In the video, De La Espriella states: 'I promised to confront terrorism without hesitation, and I am keeping that promise... I did not come to play with murderers, extortionists, and child recruiters... Long live Christ the King'.
'Forgiving terrorists is God's business. Sending them to meet Him is the president's job'
Reactions from the Opposition and Former President Petro
Reactions were swift. Iván Cepeda, the leftist candidate defeated in the June 2026 elections, accused the president of lacking humanity and trampling on the bodies with contempt. Meanwhile, leftist legislator Daniel Monroy accused him of 'necropolitics' and staging an 'unnecessary spectacle'.
Former President Gustavo Petro also spoke out on social media, stating that 'turning death into a trophy' is characteristic of soulless individuals. These criticisms reflect the deep division that the new government's hardline policy is causing in the country.
Regional Context: The Rise of Right-Wing Populism
De La Espriella's video is part of a regional trend of right-wing populism that uses viral videos to project an image of toughness against crime. Leaders such as Nayib Bukele in El Salvador and Donald Trump in the United States have employed similar strategies, with significant impact on public opinion.
In Brazil, ahead of the October 2026 elections, several candidates have adopted even more extreme rhetoric. Renan Santos promises a 'bloodbath' against drug traffickers, while Flávio Bolsonaro vows to declare war on 'narcoterrorists'. Former police chief Felipe Curi has gone further, posting AI-generated videos of himself shooting in favelas, overlaid with images of the 122 deaths from police raids.
A Debate on Methods and Ethics
The Colombian president's post opens a heated debate on the ethical limits in the fight against crime and insurgency. While his supporters see him as a decisive leader determined to end violence, his detractors believe he objectifies bodies and trivializes death. The international community is closely watching how this policy evolves in one of the countries with the longest-running internal armed conflicts.
For now, De La Espriella's government has shown no signs of backing down from its strategy, and the video appears to be just the beginning of a governmental communication approach aimed at showcasing decisive results in security.