Image: Abelardo de la Espriella, Colombia’s new president, speaks in Cali after being sworn in. ‘The time has come to restore order, authority and freedom.’ Photograph: Jaime Saldarriaga/AFP/Getty Images

The Guardian reports: “The ​Trump administration plans to provide $1bn in security assistance to the ⁠government of Colombia’s new ​rightwing ‌president, the US state department announced, soon after Abelardo De La ‌Espriella was sworn in and used his inaugural speech to pledge a vigorous fight against drug trafficking, as well as austerity measures to restore confidence in the economy.

De La Espriella, 48, won June’s runoff election with ⁠promises to crack down on armed groups, shrink ⁠the state by as much as 40% and ​revive the oil and gas sector.

“I have come to close a long chapter of national resignation and, together with the people, embark on the most profound transformation ⁠of our destiny,” De La Espriella said at the Pichincha Battalion military base in Cali after being sworn in on Friday.

“I send a firm message to the Colombian people: the time has come to restore order, authority and freedom,” said De La Espriella, who received the endorsement of Donald Trump before his runoff election…”

Click here for full article.