Andean Region in August 2026: the most important developments in politics
Colombia dominated Andean politics in August 2026. Abelardo de la Espriella, a Trump ally, was sworn in as president in the first days of the month, succeeding the government of Gustavo Petro. In his inaugural address he said Colombia "from now on ceases to be a pariah", promised to restore order, authority and freedom, and said he would draw inspiration from El Salvador's Nayib Bukele in tackling armed groups. Argentina's Javier Milei and Chile's José Antonio Kast attended. The United States said it plans $1 billion in security aid for the new government. On August 25 the government advanced reforms to designate armed groups as terrorists, launched a campaign to deport irregular migrants and suspended peace radio stations, the only fully implemented point of the FARC accord.
On August 10 Colombia recognized Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights. Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council condemned the step as invalid, and Oman and the Arab Parliament also condemned it. Egypt's Nabil Fahmy said the declaration has no legal effect. The new government also aligned with Morocco on Western Sahara.
A powerful earthquake became the new president's first major crisis. On August 10 Colombia declared a national emergency with at least 111 dead; the toll passed 270 by August 13. The government declared three days of national mourning and an economic emergency on August 12 and announced a Marshall Plan for reconstruction. Aid came from the United States ($15.5 million), China, India, Argentina and other Latin American countries. The government said it would accept rescue teams from only four countries, and Mexico's Claudia Sheinbaum said Colombia was seeking recertification for its army rescuers. On August 15 and 16 Colombia asked Washington to suspend tariffs; no US response was reported.
Elsewhere, Ecuador filed charges against a former minister over the assassination of a presidential candidate, and its president visited China on August 21 for talks on a free trade agreement. In Bolivia, a court on August 22 ordered 180 days of pretrial detention for Fernando Cerimedo, charged with attempted femicide.
by WorldBrief & Maksim Micheliov | AI-generated summary
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