The Lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella: The Surprise of the Colombian Presidential Campaign

Abelardo de la Espriella is the surprise of the upcoming Colombian presidential campaign in May. Proclaiming himself as a scourge of the left, whom he promises to “eviscerate,” this man who calls himself “the Tiger” seeks to embody a Colombian version of the right-wing populist leaders who have prospered on the continent, from American Donald Trump to Salvadoran Nayib Bukele, and Argentine Javier Milei.

These politicians share a tough security discourse, societal conservatism combined with economic ultra-liberalism, and a weak attachment to democratic principles, especially freedom of the press to investigate public figures.

Without being a member of any party, de la Espriella has managed to rise neck-and-neck with Iván Cepeda, the philosopher and heir of the left-wing president Gustavo Petro, according to the latest polls published by the Caracol radio. The foundation Paz y Reconciliación analyzes, “Abelardo plays on the fear that a second left-wing government inspires, both on the right and in economic circles, all the while benefiting from the huge dispersion of conservative candidacies.“

But behind this meteoric rise lies a past that the candidate strives to keep hidden.