Security and Military Operations<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nRegarding security, Abelardo de la Espriella has taken a central role in the seven bombing operations carried out under his administration to date. In an unprecedented move in Colombian history, the president has even recorded himself using a two-way radio to issue orders for these operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Appearing in military uniform\u2014with a pistol at his belt and a walkie-talkie in his hand\u2014President Abelardo de la Espriella accompanies security forces during these operations. The alleged criminals, now in handcuffs, are left speechless. Colombia\u2019s new \u201cRanger\u201d mocks them, then sends them off to prison with one of his signature catchphrases: \u201cWelcome to the \u2018Miracle Homeland.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The new court ruling orders the government to verify available intelligence, more carefully assess the actual risk to minors, consider whether any operational alternatives exist, and \u201cevaluate less harmful operational alternatives, while conducting a specific assessment of proportionality.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Both the Minister of Defense and the President have defended these operations, arguing that \u201cthe recruitment and use of minors in the conflict constitutes a war crime and a grave violation of International Humanitarian Law. The responsibility of the narco-terrorist armed groups is clear,\u201d stated Defense Minister Mora.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bogot\u00e1\u2019s 34th Family Court has lifted an injunction that had previously required the government to refrain from carrying out operations against targets whenever there were \u201creasonably verifiable\u201d indications that children or adolescents\u2014recruited or used by illegal armed groups\u2014might be present.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The judicial decision mandates that the government verify available intelligence, more carefully assess the actual risk to minors, and consider \u201cless harmful operational alternatives,\u201d in addition to performing a specific assessment of proportionality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This ruling comes amid criticism regarding the country\u2019s militarization and the termination of the so-called \u201cpeace talks\u201d that had been promoted during the previous administration. This stance is part of the De la Espriella government\u2019s alignment with the White House\u2019s strategy\u2014a revival of \u201cPlan Colombia\u201d to serve its own expansionist agenda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, the Historic Pact (in spanish Pacto Hist\u00f3rico) has failed to gain the visibility or political leadership necessary to challenge the government, while former President Gustavo Petro is currently occupied addressing allegations made against him regarding his private life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Former President \u00c1lvaro Uribe has questioned several key initiatives from the administration of Abelardo de la Espriella during its first 100 days\u2014particularly regarding economic policy\u2014while also navigating ongoing tensions concerning the legislative agenda and his own party, the Democratic Center (Centro Democr\u00e1tico).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tax Reform and Fiscal Adjustment<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nIn terms of the budget, the proposed figure stands at 634.9 trillion pesos\u201489 trillion pesos more than the 2026 budget. However, due to a bureaucratic error by the Ministry of Finance, De la Espriella introduced what the government calls the \u201cEconomic Rescue Law.\u201d This legislation breaks several of the current president\u2019s campaign promises\u2014specifically, the pledge not to raise taxes in general (including the Value Added Tax, or VAT)\u2014while the president himself has remained absent from the debate thus far.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The proposal mandates significant cuts to public spending, granting De la Espriella extraordinary powers to downsize the state apparatus via presidential decree. Simultaneously, it includes a tax reform with several highly unpopular measures, such as increased VAT on gasoline, coffee, grains, and fruits and vegetables.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the explanatory memorandum, the law aims to recover 3.58% of GDP by 2028 and 4.09% by 2030, through cuts and new levies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Article 7 grants the president extraordinary powers for six months to \u201cabolish, merge, or split ministries and administrative departments, as well as to determine or modify their names, objectives, and organizational structure.\u201d It also authorizes the president to \u201cabolish, merge, split, or change the legal status\u201d of superintendencies, agencies, special administrative units, and public institutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The law consists of 106 articles and aims\u2014through a combination of spending cuts and new taxes\u2014to recover 3.58% of GDP by 2028 and 4.09% by 2030, according to the explanatory memorandum. It hits the middle class\u2014a key demographic in De la Espriella\u2019s victory\u2014while providing relief to businesses regarding income tax; meanwhile, it affects the wealthy by lowering the threshold for the wealth tax and increases the cost of formal employment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Earthquake Emergency<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nOn August 10, three days after De la Espriella took office, a 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck, with its epicenter in the Choc\u00f3 region. The disaster resulted in 335 deaths and over a thousand injuries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The government declared a national disaster, a measure that allows for the issuance of circulars and resolutions to facilitate immediate response efforts, including expedited direct contracting. This declaration can remain in effect for up to 12 months and may be extended.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Within the National Disaster Management Committee, the president ordered his cabinet to deploy to the affected areas\u2014amidst reports criticizing the slow pace of rescue and reconstruction efforts, as well as a lack of transparency in the handling of donations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Economic Projections<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) projects that Colombia\u2019s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) will grow by 2.6% in 2026, remaining above the Latin American average (2.2%). Comparing the figures presented by ECLAC in its reports\u2014with data as of November 2025 and July 2026\u2014reveals an adjustment from an initial 2.7% to 2.6% for 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is primarily due to an international environment characterized by persistent geopolitical tensions in strategic markets and tightening global financial conditions, which leads to fluctuations in freight transport costs and constrains external demand for the nation\u2019s exports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 2.5% growth projection for Colombia in 2027 matches the average calculated for the South American subregion and exceeds the overall average for Latin America\u2014estimated at 2.4%\u2014by 0.1%, according to the report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Author: HGV<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Source: Telesur\/@historicpact<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Source: Telesur<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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