Colombian President Abelardo De La Espriella, who assumed office last month, has drawn significant criticism following his decision to post a video on social media depicting the aftermath of a military operation. In the footage, the president is seen walking past rows of white body bags, which he identified as 23 “neutralised” guerrillas.

De La Espriella, who campaigned on a platform of “all-out war” against illegal armed groups, framed the video as evidence that he is fulfilling his campaign promises. In the accompanying caption, he stated, “I promised to confront terrorism without hesitation and I’m keeping that promise,” further asserting that he did not intend to “play nice” with criminal elements.

The release of the video has provoked immediate outrage among critics who argue that the display of human remains for political messaging is inappropriate and dehumanizing. While the president maintains that the act serves as a transparent display of his security strategy, opponents suggest the imagery undermines the dignity of the state and risks escalating tensions in a country already struggling with internal conflict. As of now, there has been no official statement from the military or human rights organizations regarding the specific circumstances of the deaths or the ethics of the president’s social media post.