Colombia’s conservative President Abelardo de la Espriella took office as the nation’s new head of state for the next four years on Friday afternoon. Abelardo de la Espriella succeeded former President Gustavo Petro, a former member of the Marxist M19 terrorist group and Colombia’s first and so far only leftist president ever. De la Espriella and his Vice President José Manuel Restrepo will lead Colombia for a four-year term through August 7, 2030. De la Espriella, now as president of Colombia, proceeded by swearing in Vice President Restrepo. De la Espriella has also pledged to have Colombia join President Trump’s Shield of the Americas regional counter-cartel initiative.