Colombia’s President Leads Aggressive Anti-Cartel Campaign

President Abelardo de la Espriella has prioritized his campaign against the cartels in Colombia. Known as ‘El Tigre’, he was elected on a platform focused on law and order, achieving significant progress in combating cartel activities both in Colombia and on the international front.

Recently, a large-scale operation known as Operation Blindaje 360 was conducted in Barranquilla. De la Espriella personally supervised as 587 police officers and soldiers raided 50 locations, resulting in 72 arrests. The operation targeted the gang ‘Los del Freseo’ and its alleged leader, “Keko,” who had previously challenged the president. Footage released showed de la Espriella confronting Keko, highlighting the fear in the gang leader’s eyes compared to his earlier bravado on the phone.

“The option of dialogue is completely exhausted,” de la Espriella conveyed to his troops after assuming office on August 7, 2026.

De la Espriella’s administration has reversed former President Gustavo Petro’s policy of engaging with criminal groups through negotiations. He’s classified guerrillas and drug traffickers as terrorists, reinstated arrest warrants, and has dropped the previous total peace approach. As of October, the administration reported 32,503 arrests, 33 key figures captured, and 679 drug-production sites shut down.

De la Espriella, also a U.S. citizen, enhances Colombia’s involvement with the U.S., exemplified by handing over a guerrilla leader cooperating with Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel to American authorities. Colombia joined the U.S.-led Shield of the Americas coalition in August. The coalition aims to disrupt terrorist networks, with Bogotá approving joint military operations and the U.S. pledging $1 billion in security aid, subject to congressional approval.

Despite this, Vice President José Manuel Restrepo emphasized that Colombian troops would lead operations within the nation. Benjamin Gedan, of the Stimson Center, noted the longstanding cooperation between the U.S. and Colombia. He argued for a sophisticated approach to dismantle well-equipped criminal groups thriving in state-neglected areas.

Security expert Oscar Palma from the University of Rosario in Bogotá remarked on the ongoing debate about the effectiveness of aggressive policing strategies. While some fear it emboldens gangs, others believe it decreases organized crime eventually. He highlighted the need for a multifaceted strategy, referencing President Juán Manuel Santos’ balanced approach of negotiation and justice that once made Colombia safer.

Vice President Restrepo asserts that the current momentum in Latin America should be harnessed to maintain democratic values and market freedoms, aligning with U.S. President Donald Trump’s vision.