Share this article:XBlueskyFacebookGet Article LinkFar-right firebrand Abelardo de la Espriella will be sworn in as president today, following a closely fought election that took place amid a surge in political violence. The break from tradition is “meant to signal his hardline approach to illegal armed groups operating in the region,” the Associated Press reported. De la Espriella won June’s runoff election on promises to crack down on drug trafficking and violent crime. An ally of President Trump who goes by the nickname “El Tigre,” or “The Tiger,” de la Espriella has pledged to take the opposite approach of outgoing President Gustavo Petro, who favored negotiating with armed groups. De la Espriella claims that strategy has failed to curb Colombia’s persistent violence.