# Colombia's new 'Temu White House' sparks power debate

> Colombia's president builds costly Barranquilla palace, sparking debate over seat of power.
- Title: Colombia's new 'Temu White House' sparks power debate
- Summary: Colombia's president builds costly Barranquilla palace, sparking debate over seat of power. Colombia's president Abelardo de la Espriella established a new…
- Keywords: colombia, president, barranquilla, temu white house, decentralization, security forces, constitutional reform, colombian presidency, news, world, Colombia's, 'Temu
- Source: Malay Mail — https://malaymail.com/news/world/2026/10/20/colombias-new-temu-white-house-fuels-debate-over-seat-of-power/239831
- Published: 2026-10-20T21:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: colombia, president, barranquilla, temu white house, decentralization, security forces, constitutional reform, colombian presidency, news, world
## Colombia's new presidential palace
President Abelardo de la Espriella built a new white-columned mansion in Barranquilla, Colombia.
## Location and purpose
Tucked inside a Caribbean military base, the palace embodies his focus on security forces and regional power.
## Political significance
De la Espriella calls Barranquilla his 'alternative capital' to shift power from Bogota.
## Critics' view
Critics call the project an extravagant political gesture amid fiscal challenges.
## Cost and controversy
The $650,000 renovation of a 1938 mansion faces criticism for high cost and fiscal strain.
## Legal challenges
Creating a second capital would require constitutional reform and congress approval.
## Public reaction
Residents welcome increased attention to Colombia's Caribbean region under the new leadership.
## Symbolic gesture
The palace has become a national symbol of decentralization and regional empowerment.
## Debate continues
Whether Barranquilla becomes a lasting alternative seat of power remains uncertain.
## Key takeaway

Colombia's president Abelardo de la Espriella established a new presidential palace in Barranquilla, sparking debate over whether it will become an alternative seat of power.