Colombian court orders President de la Espriella to block videos of dead guerrillas

Colombia’s newly inaugurated right‑wing president, Abelardo de la Espriella, has been ordered by a court to conceal social‑media videos that depict him walking past rows of dead bodies identified as alleged guerrilla fighters killed by the nation’s armed forces, a court filing obtained on Wednesday shows. The injunction, issued by a Bogotá magistrate, cites concerns over national security and the potential impact on ongoing military operations, and it requires the president’s office to remove the footage from all official and personal platforms pending a further judicial review.

The directive arrives as President de la Espriella has launched a renewed offensive against armed groups linked to Colombia’s lucrative cocaine trade, signaling a hard‑line approach to insurgent activity that has intensified since his swearing‑in earlier this month. Government officials say the campaign aims to dismantle the operational capacity of the guerrilla factions while maintaining public order, though critics warn that the secrecy surrounding the videos could hinder transparency and accountability in the country’s long‑standing internal conflict. The court’s order underscores the tension between security measures and the public’s right to information as the administration pursues its security agenda.