Abelardo de la Espriella Sworn In as President of Colombia

Right-wing lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella was sworn in as Colombia's president on Friday in Cali, signaling a shift away from the peace-negotiation strategy of predecessor Gustavo Petro.

The 48-year-old president pledged to cut government spending by 40 percent and announced plans to strengthen the state-run oil company Ecopetrol while promoting sustainable fracking.

The US State Department announced plans to provide $1 billion in security assistance to the new administration, pending approval from the US Congress.