Abelardo de la Espriella captures the fury, the fear, and the hope of millions of Colombians who want safety restored, national sovereignty reclaimed, and prosperity to finally be unleashed.
I attended several of Abelardo’s rallies. Setting politics aside, here are my observations: he genuinely has the people’s attention.
First, he is a clear conservative in the mold of Nayib Bukele in El Salvador.
Second, he is running after years of socialist governance, and the results speak for themselves. The socialist experiment has failed, and the population is visibly frustrated.
Third, his strongest support comes from young people who have known nothing but socialism. They are drawn to his energetic style and highly effective social media presence—so much so that the left is now calling for investigations into the platforms. His rallies feel more like concerts than political events.
Fourth, being young himself, he naturally resonates with that generation.
Fifth, he has transformed politics into entertainment. He understands spectacle and connection in a way traditional politicians don’t.
Sixth, he was the second-place conservative candidate during the pre-candidacy (primaries). After the leading candidate was assassinated, Abelardo stepped up. The situation mirrored the galvanizing effect of the Trump assassination attempts. He has leaned into this by making his security highly visible—bulletproof glass, heavy private protection, and firearms openly displayed on stage. It projects strength, seriousness, and the image of a determined fighter.
Finally, El Tigre has completely broken the traditional mold of politics, messaging, and rallying. He has inspired the masses in a way few expected.
My overall take: Abelardo’s movement feels like MAGA on steroids—MAGA x 10.
El Tigre matters because Latin America is done with polite failure. Colombia’s crisis is not just crime, drugs, migration, Venezuela, Cuba, or Washington policy. It is all of them fused together by elite weakness. Petro’s appeasement empowered the armed groups. Cepeda would deepen the disease. Valencia may be competent, but she is still old-system politics with better manners. De la Espriella is the populist rupture: Trump’s directness, Bukele’s security doctrine, Milei’s anti-bureaucratic fury, and Colombian nationalism wrapped into one insurgent campaign. The whole hemisphere should watch closely. If Colombia turns, the narco-left takes a body blow.
If you watch the 2nd series of the Brit tv show "The Night Manager" you'll get an idea of what Colombia is like...and you will wish its People all the best.
I attended several of Abelardo’s rallies. Setting politics aside, here are my observations: he genuinely has the people’s attention.
First, he is a clear conservative in the mold of Nayib Bukele in El Salvador.
Second, he is running after years of socialist governance, and the results speak for themselves. The socialist experiment has failed, and the population is visibly frustrated.
Third, his strongest support comes from young people who have known nothing but socialism. They are drawn to his energetic style and highly effective social media presence—so much so that the left is now calling for investigations into the platforms. His rallies feel more like concerts than political events.
Fourth, being young himself, he naturally resonates with that generation.
Fifth, he has transformed politics into entertainment. He understands spectacle and connection in a way traditional politicians don’t.
Sixth, he was the second-place conservative candidate during the pre-candidacy (primaries). After the leading candidate was assassinated, Abelardo stepped up. The situation mirrored the galvanizing effect of the Trump assassination attempts. He has leaned into this by making his security highly visible—bulletproof glass, heavy private protection, and firearms openly displayed on stage. It projects strength, seriousness, and the image of a determined fighter.
Finally, El Tigre has completely broken the traditional mold of politics, messaging, and rallying. He has inspired the masses in a way few expected.
My overall take: Abelardo’s movement feels like MAGA on steroids—MAGA x 10.
El Tigre matters because Latin America is done with polite failure. Colombia’s crisis is not just crime, drugs, migration, Venezuela, Cuba, or Washington policy. It is all of them fused together by elite weakness. Petro’s appeasement empowered the armed groups. Cepeda would deepen the disease. Valencia may be competent, but she is still old-system politics with better manners. De la Espriella is the populist rupture: Trump’s directness, Bukele’s security doctrine, Milei’s anti-bureaucratic fury, and Colombian nationalism wrapped into one insurgent campaign. The whole hemisphere should watch closely. If Colombia turns, the narco-left takes a body blow.
Colombia's DJT
If you watch the 2nd series of the Brit tv show "The Night Manager" you'll get an idea of what Colombia is like...and you will wish its People all the best.