Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
(26 Aug 2026)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Bogota, Colombia - 26 August 2026
1. Colombian soldiers standing at attention at military camp, regional flags and the Colombian flag raised in the background
2. Mounted soldier and horse performs military salute
3. Flag bearers marching in front of Abelardo de la Espriella, President of Colombia, who stands alongside top military officers
4. Various of Espriella and military officials walking with performing military salute
5. Generals of the Colombian navy, air force and army standing during ceremony
6. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Abelardo de la Espriella, President of Colombia:
"There is no room for dialogue here. As I said on the day of my inauguration, that option has been exhausted. Those who wish to renounce criminality may submit to justice through the mechanisms established by law, but those who persist in violence, continue to attack Colombia, and still believe they can subdue the state through terrorism will get what they deserve on the battlefield."
7. Espriella speaking
8. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Abelardo De La Espriella, President of Colombia:
“Absolutely no one is authorized to establish communication with terrorist groups; any official or citizen who does so will be brought before the courts. This little game of appeasing the enemies of the homeland is over, and those terrorists wanted by foreign authorities will be handed over to those countries without delay.”
9. Various of De La Esprilla with Defense Minister General Jorge Mora reviewing troops while mounted on military truck
STORYLINE:
The Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella on Wednesday appointed the commanders of the armed forces, as the U.S. Southern Command chief arrives for a meeting.
The administration of De la Espriella, who took office earlier this month, requested U.S. collaboration in military operations, joining the U.S. initiative Americas Counter-Cartel Coalition.
During the ceremony at the military academy in the capital, Bogota, De la Espriella reiterated his stance on ending peace dialogues with armed groups.
His policy distances itself from the previous administration's efforts to reach peace in Colombia through dialogue.
"There is no room for dialogue here. As I said on the day of my inauguration, that option has been exhausted," De la Espriella said.
The new military leadership, led by Minister of Defense Jorge Eduardo Mora López, is expected to meet with Gen. Francis L. Donovan, commander of the U.S. Southern Command, who arrived in Colombia on Wednesday.
The U.S. Southern Command said in a post on X that Donovan's visit aims "to discuss joint efforts to combat narco-terrorists and strengthen the U.S.-Colombia security partnership."
AP Video shot by Marko Álvarez
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(26 Aug 2026)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Bogota, Colombia - 26 August 2026
1. Colombian soldiers standing at attention at military camp, regional flags and the Colombian flag raised in the background
2. Mounted soldier and horse performs military salute
3. Flag bearers marching in front of Abelardo de la Espriella, President of Colombia, who stands alongside top military officers
4. Various of Espriella and military officials walking with performing military salute
5. Generals of the Colombian navy, air force and army standing during ceremony
6. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Abelardo de la Espriella, President of Colombia:
"There is no room for dialogue here. As I said on the day of my inauguration, that option has been exhausted. Those who wish to renounce criminality may submit to justice through the mechanisms established by law, but those who persist in violence, continue to attack Colombia, and still believe they can subdue the state through terrorism will get what they deserve on the battlefield."
7. Espriella speaking
8. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Abelardo De La Espriella, President of Colombia:
“Absolutely no one is authorized to establish communication with terrorist groups; any official or citizen who does so will be brought before the courts. This little game of appeasing the enemies of the homeland is over, and those terrorists wanted by foreign authorities will be handed over to those countries without delay.”
9. Various of De La Esprilla with Defense Minister General Jorge Mora reviewing troops while mounted on military truck
STORYLINE:
The Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella on Wednesday appointed the commanders of the armed forces, as the U.S. Southern Command chief arrives for a meeting.
The administration of De la Espriella, who took office earlier this month, requested U.S. collaboration in military operations, joining the U.S. initiative Americas Counter-Cartel Coalition.
During the ceremony at the military academy in the capital, Bogota, De la Espriella reiterated his stance on ending peace dialogues with armed groups.
His policy distances itself from the previous administration's efforts to reach peace in Colombia through dialogue.
"There is no room for dialogue here. As I said on the day of my inauguration, that option has been exhausted," De la Espriella said.
The new military leadership, led by Minister of Defense Jorge Eduardo Mora López, is expected to meet with Gen. Francis L. Donovan, commander of the U.S. Southern Command, who arrived in Colombia on Wednesday.
The U.S. Southern Command said in a post on X that Donovan's visit aims "to discuss joint efforts to combat narco-terrorists and strengthen the U.S.-Colombia security partnership."
AP Video shot by Marko Álvarez
===========================================================
Clients are reminded to adhere to all listed restrictions and to check the terms of their licence agreements. For further assistance, please contact the AP Archive on: Tel +44(0)2074827482 Email: info@aparchive.com.
Find out more about AP Archive: aparchive.com/HowWeWork
Twitter: twitter.com/AP_Archive
Facebook: facebook.com/APArchives
Instagram: instagram.com/APNews
You can license this story through AP Archive: aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/77a8124f40cb4e18994523777e73b0ef
