Since taking office in August, new far-right Colombian president Abelardo de la Espriella has shared video after video promoting his security forces – especially operations they’ve carried out against armed groups. In some, De la Espriella speaks standing among body bags. Others feature prisoners or look like they were taken from an action film. However, there’s been growing outcry about his social media glorification of repressive policies.
Issued on: 10/11/2026 - 19:18Modified: 10/11/2026 - 19:23
On September 2, Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella – who took office in early August – published a video where he appears in a room filled with 23 body bags.
In the video, De la Espriella discusses the result of an operation carried out against a dissident faction from the former guerrilla group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC): "In total [...]: 23 terrorists killed. [...] Our determination to finish with you – you who are like cancer – is absolute!” The video has garnered nearly half a million views since it was posted.
Two days later, the head of state published another similar video.
In this one, there are four body bags visible in front of him as he applauds the death of “one of the country’s most dangerous criminals”
