Colombian President Abelardo De La Espriella ignited a firestorm after uploading a video that shows him walking past rows of white body bags, which he claims hold the remains of 23 “neutralised” guerrillas. The footage, posted on social media just weeks after he assumed office, is being framed as proof of his promised “all‑out war” against illegal armed groups. Critics have denounced the clip as a grotesque display of performative populism, warning that such spectacle could inflame tensions and undermine human‑rights standards. The incident highlights the volatile climate in Colombia, where the new hard‑line administration’s aggressive tactics are already sparking domestic and international backlash.
Abelardo De La Espriella posts video of himself with rows of body bags as performative populism continues to sweep AmericasColombia’s hardline president, Abelardo De La Espriella, has provoked outrage after posting a video on social media in which he strides through rows of white body bags that he says contained the corpses of 23 “neutralised” guerrillas.De La Espriella took power last month vowing “all-out war” against illegal armed groups and he published the footage on Thursday in an apparent attempt to show he was fulfilling that pledge. Continue reading...
