BOGOTA/CALI, COLOMBIA ¨C Colombia¡¯s new right-wing President Abelardo De La Espriella was sworn in on Friday, using his inaugural speech to pledge a vigorous fight against drug trafficking, as well as austerity measures to restore confidence in the economy.
De La Espriella, 48, won June¡¯s runoff on promises to crack down on armed groups, shrink the state by as much as 40% and revive the oil and gas sector.
An ally of U.S. President Donald Trump, he represented people ?with ties to right-wing paramilitaries during his time as a lawyer. De La Espriella has never before held elected office.
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