The August 2026 edition of the IRMO Brief, authored by Isabella Oslinger, deals with Colombia after the 2026 presidential election won Abelardo de la Espriella. De la Espriella defeated a left-wing senator Iván Cepeda in the runoff on 21 June and assumed office on 7th August 2026. As a right-wing politician de la Espriella´s will place Colombia within a broader conservative turn in South America, while his victory was welcomed by the U.S. president Donald Trump, Argentina´s President Javier Milei and Ecuador´s Daniel Noboa. The arrival of de la Espriella marks a new phase of closer ties with the U.S and a likely tightening of security, anti-drug policy and regional relations. Colombia is also likely to join US-backed Shield of the Americas, with Medellín serving as its headquarters. At the same time Colombia could cut relations with Cuba and Nicaragua, close 14 embassies, halt the planned mission in Palestine and restore diplomatic presence in Israel. The author also analyses how Colombia could continue to develop strong ties with both China and the EU, despite growing American influence.
Colombia After the 2026 Election: Security, Regional Diplomacy and Strategic Balancing
