Colombia’s New President Vows Crackdown on Armed Groups as Russian Strikes Near Kyiv Kill Four
Colombia’s newly inaugurated president, Abelardo de la Espriella, is beginning his four-year term with a sharp security and foreign-policy shift. The right-wing lawyer has promised an “all-out war” against guerrillas, drug traffickers, and criminal organizations, including expanded military operations and the construction of large prisons. (Reuters)
De la Espriella also moved to restore diplomatic and economic ties with Israel, reversing former President Gustavo Petro’s break with Jerusalem. His government has signaled interest in closer cooperation with Israel and the United States on security, technology, and defense. (BBC)
That policy realignment matters because Colombia’s security challenge is both military and political. A harder approach could reassure communities affected by armed groups, but it may also test civilian oversight, human-rights protections, and existing peace efforts. The president’s results will depend on whether force is paired with justice, local investment, and protection for civilians.
The stakes were also visible in Ukraine, where Russian ballistic missiles and drones struck Kyiv and surrounding areas overnight. Four people were reported killed, including a three-year-old boy and his grandparents in Pukhivka. The attack underscored how air-defense capacity and international military support remain central policy questions for Ukraine. (Al Jazeera)
For readers, the next step is to watch actions: not only inauguration promises: Colombia’s rules for military operations, its treatment of peace negotiations, and the substance of its Israel and U.S. partnerships. In Ukraine, monitor decisions on air defenses, civilian protection, and diplomatic strategy.
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