Abelardo de la Espriella and the Emergence of Colombia’s New Political Right
Abelardo de la Espriella’s emergence in Colombia’s 2026 presidential race has sparked a debate that extends far beyond the candidacy of a single politician. His arrival on the national political stage has raised a question that is increasingly shaping public discussion: Is Colombia witnessing the rise of a new Colombian right, distinct from the traditional conservative forces historically represented by Uribismo, the Conservative Party, and other longstanding actors on the country’s political spectrum?
The question is significant. For more than two decades, much of Colombia’s political right revolved around the leadership of former President Álvaro Uribe Vélez, whose political project was defined by Democratic Security policies, a hardline stance against guerrilla groups, strong support for private property rights, and a market-oriented economic vision. Yet De la Espriella’s rhetoric, political style, and public image suggest the emergence of something different, a movement that retains many elements of traditional conservatism while incorporating characteristics associated with the nationalist, populist, and culturally conservative movements that have gained prominence around the world in recent years.
Comparisons have frequently been drawn between De la Espriella and figures such as Donald Trump in the United States, Javier Milei in Argentina, and Nayib Bukele in El Salvador. Although their political, economic, and social contexts differ significantly, there are common themes that help explain what De la Espriella represents and why some analysts view him as a Colombian expression of a broader international trend that has successfully channeled public frustration with traditional political elites. Whether one supports or opposes him, his rise is forcing Colombians to rethink old political categories and to ask whether the country’s right wing is entering a new phase.
What kind of right does Abelardo de la Espriella represent?
Defining Abelardo de la Espriella’s ideology with precision is not entirely straightforward. He has repeatedly rejected labels such as “far-right” and has insisted that he prefers to describe himself as a man of “extreme consistency.” Nevertheless, his proposals, public statements, and political positioning reveal several clear ideological traits.
He represents a form of conservatism that is culturally traditional, economically pro-market, and supportive of a strong state when it comes to security, public order, and fighting crime. Added to this is a feature that has become increasingly visible in democracies across the West: a direct challenge to the traditional political establishment.
According to an analysis by the BBC, the similarities between Álvaro Uribe and Abelardo de la Espriella are considerable. Both come from privileged backgrounds, defend conservative cultural values, support free-market principles, and see opposition to guerrilla groups, communism, and the political left as central pillars of their worldview. However, the BBC argues that the most important difference lies in their methods and style of leadership. That distinction matters because, in the age of social media, political branding, and constant digital engagement, style has become a substantive political issue rather than merely a cosmetic one.
The differences between De la Espriella and traditional Uribismo
Although he shares many principles with Uribismo, Abelardo de la Espriella appears to represent a different stage in the evolution of Colombia’s political right. While Uribe built his leadership around traditional institutions and a narrative focused on state authority in the face of guerrilla threats, De la Espriella seems far more comfortable operating in an environment where permanent confrontation and the cultivation of a strong personal identity play a central role.
Traditional Colombian conservatism generally favored leaders with administrative experience, established party structures, and relatively institutional forms of political communication. Even during periods of intense political polarization, debates tended to revolve around public policy and formal political organizations.
The new right that De la Espriella appears to embody follows a different logic. The personality of the leader becomes a crucial political asset. Direct communication with citizens is elevated above traditional intermediaries. Social media platforms partially replace party structures. Confrontation is no longer simply a byproduct of political competition; it becomes one of its driving forces. For that reason, some analysts argue that De la Espriella has more in common with contemporary figures such as Trump and Milei than with the classical democratic conservative leaders who shaped much of the twentieth century.
Why is De la Espriella compared to Trump?
The comparison with Donald Trump goes beyond specific policy proposals. It has much more to do with a particular way of understanding politics. Trump transformed the American right by demonstrating that it was possible to build a powerful political movement through direct appeals to public dissatisfaction, attacks on established elites, and the use of confrontation as a permanent mobilizing tool. Under this model, politics ceases to be merely a competition between policy platforms and instead becomes a cultural and ideological battle in which citizens are asked to choose between competing visions of the nation.
De la Espriella appears to have incorporated several elements of that strategy. His speeches often draw sharp distinctions between those he considers defenders of traditional values and those he portrays as threats to Colombia’s future. He frequently criticizes political elites, denounces what he views as the failures of the ruling class, and presents himself as an alternative capable of challenging a system he considers exhausted. Like Trump, he has also recognized the importance of direct communication and personal branding. His statements frequently generate controversy, headlines, and immediate reactions, an increasingly valuable political currency in today’s media environment.
The anti-establishment message and the fight against the “political class”
One of the most striking elements of De la Espriella’s political narrative is his criticism of the political establishment. Although he spent years as one of Colombia’s most prominent attorneys and maintained close ties to influential business and political circles, he has sought to position himself as an outsider to traditional politics. The strategy inevitably recalls Javier Milei. The Argentine president built much of his political rise by attacking what he calls “the caste,” a term used to describe political actors who, in his view, benefit from the system while ordinary citizens struggle with economic and social challenges.
The paradox is similar. Neither Milei, Trump, nor De la Espriella emerged from marginalized backgrounds. Yet all have managed to connect with voters who feel that traditional institutions no longer represent their interests. This phenomenon reflects a common characteristic of many contemporary right-wing movements as opposition to the establishment is no longer defined by social origins but by a candidate’s ability to embody public frustration with conventional politics.
The Bukele model and the focus on security
If there is one issue that defines Abelardo de la Espriella’s political project, it is security. His proposals revolve around strengthening state authority, imposing tougher criminal penalties, building large prison complexes, and adopting a far more aggressive approach toward criminal organizations and illegal armed groups.
In this respect, there are obvious similarities with Nayib Bukele. The Salvadoran president built much of his popularity around promises to restore state control and deliver security to citizens who had lived under the threat of gang violence for decades. While Colombia and El Salvador face very different security challenges, both political narratives begin with the same premise: that the state’s primary obligation is to guarantee order and public safety.
There is also a symbolic dimension to the comparison. De la Espriella often appears surrounded by visible security details, frequently employs rhetoric centered on combating crime, and projects an image associated with strength and authority. This carefully constructed image mirrors a broader trend among contemporary right-wing leaders, where the strongman persona becomes a key component of political communication.
Economic liberalism and the defense of private property
On economic issues, Abelardo de la Espriella embraces a clearly pro-market position. He supports lower taxes, reduced government intervention in the economy, incentives for private investment, and a vision in which economic growth is primarily driven by entrepreneurship and private enterprise.
The defense of private property occupies a particularly important place within his political discourse. He frequently presents it as one of the fundamental pillars of both individual freedom and economic prosperity. In this area, his views overlap with both Uribismo and several contemporary right-wing movements around the world. However, some observers argue that De la Espriella adopts a more forceful tone and appears less willing to embrace compromise regarding the role of the state in economic affairs. His economic vision also reflects a broader trend among modern conservative movements: combining strong law-and-order rhetoric with a robust defense of business, investment, and market-driven growth.
The culture war and opposition to pogressivism
One of the defining features of the new global right is the growing importance it places on cultural issues. While political debates were once dominated primarily by economic concerns, discussions surrounding identity, family, religion, gender, and social values now occupy a much larger role.
De la Espriella has publicly opposed abortion, euthanasia, and adoption by same-sex couples. He has also criticized various aspects of contemporary progressive movements and has expressed skepticism toward agendas promoted by feminist and LGBTQ advocacy groups. This cultural dimension is essential to understanding his political project. In the United States, Trump made cultural conflict one of the defining elements of his leadership. In Argentina, Milei has employed similar arguments to challenge progressive ideologies. In Europe, leaders such as Giorgia Meloni and Viktor Orbán have pursued comparable strategies.
In Colombia, where religious beliefs and traditional family values continue to hold significant influence among large segments of society, cultural issues could become an important source of political mobilization.
Is Abelardo de la Espriella an iliberal right-wing leader?
One concept that frequently appears in discussions of the new right is “illiberalism.” The term is often used to describe political movements that achieve power through democratic elections but challenge certain elements of traditional liberal democracy. These elements may include the role of international organizations, certain interpretations of individual rights, institutional checks and balances, and the influence of global governance structures.
The BBC argues that this is where De la Espriella differs most clearly from traditional sectors of Colombia’s political right. While much of Colombia’s historical conservatism operated within relatively stable liberal-democratic frameworks, many of today’s emerging right-wing movements are considerably more skeptical of international institutions and transnational governance structures. This does not necessarily imply a rejection of democracy itself. However, it does raise questions about how such movements define the relationship between authority, institutions, and individual liberties.
Does Colombia’s new right have electoral potential?
The central question is whether this new Colombian right has the capacity to establish itself as a lasting political force or whether its growth is primarily a product of current circumstances. The conditions that fueled the rise of Trump, Milei, and Bukele share several common features: public frustration, political polarization, declining trust in institutions, concerns about security, and disappointment with traditional governing elites. Many of those same factors are present in Colombia today. Public safety remains one of the country’s most pressing concerns. Political polarization continues to shape much of the national conversation. Confidence in institutions and political parties remains relatively weak.
Within that environment, De la Espriella’s message finds fertile ground. His political strategy seeks to channel public dissatisfaction into a platform that combines authority, economic liberalism, cultural conservatism, and political confrontation. Regardless of whether one views him favorably or critically, Abelardo de la Espriella’s emergence appears to reflect broader transformations within Colombian politics. His rise comes at a time of uncertainty, polarization, and growing public demand for swift solutions to problems that have persisted for years.
The question is whether Colombia is simply witnessing the rise of another presidential candidate or the birth of a political current capable of reshaping the country’s right-wing landscape for years to come. Can a figure like De la Espriella displace the traditional sectors that have historically dominated Colombia’s political right? Is there truly a large electoral constituency for a movement that combines economic liberalism, cultural conservatism, and a more confrontational approach to politics? To what extent are Colombians willing to embrace leadership models inspired by figures such as Trump or Bukele?
There are also institutional questions. Is it possible to strengthen security and state authority without weakening democratic oversight mechanisms? Could public demand for order reshape the balance of power between the executive branch and other institutions? Are we witnessing the emergence of a lasting ideological movement or merely a temporary response to contemporary political and economic frustrations?
What is clear is that the De la Espriella phenomenon forces Colombians to rethink traditional political categories. For years, much of the country’s political debate revolved around the divide between Uribismo and anti-Uribismo. Today, a different conversation is beginning to emerge—one that pits traditional conservatism against a new generation of right-wing leaders who emphasize direct confrontation, cultural battles, constant digital engagement, and promises of decisive action in response to complex problems.
Regardless of the outcome of the 2026 election, Abelardo de la Espriella has already succeeded in placing a broader discussion about the future of Colombia’s political right at the center of the national conversation. The key question is whether this new Colombian right will evolve into a durable political force or remain a temporary expression of public dissatisfaction with traditional parties. What seems undeniable is that the debate over Colombia’s ideological future is already underway, and Abelardo de la Espriella has become one of its most visible protagonists.