Weekly Report - 15 October 2026 (WR-26-41)

Colombia’s President Abelardo de la Espriella signalled a tougher stance on public protests ahead of the first large-scale demonstrations of his presidency on 14 October, issuing a decree which toughened the authorities’ stance on the use of force and the right to protest. The protests went ahead peacefully, but the left-wing opposition will be hoping that they mark an inflection point that will help them regroup following Iván Cepeda’s electoral defeat in June.