# De la Espriella Warns San Andrés Leaders

> President De la Espriella confronts San Andrés officials over hospital, contracts and sea baselines.
- Title: De la Espriella Warns San Andrés Leaders · The Rio Times
- Summary: President De la Espriella confronts San Andrés officials over hospital, contracts and sea baselines. Colombian president Abelardo de la Espriella threatens…
- Keywords: abelardo de la espriella, san andres, colombia, president, hospital takeover, sea baselines, corruption, governance, news, world, politics, Espriella
- Source: The Rio Times — https://riotimesonline.com/de-la-espriella-san-andres-profile-2026
- Author: Javier Mendoza
- Published: 2026-10-19T07:04:45+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: abelardo de la espriella, san andres, colombia, president, hospital takeover, sea baselines, corruption, governance, news, world, politics
## New President De la Espriella
Abelardo de la Espriella, a 48-year-old criminal defense lawyer with no previous elected office, was sworn in as Colombia’s president on 7 August 2026.
## First San Andrés Visit
His first trip to the San Andrés archipelago as president ran from 16 to 18 October 2026 and ended with a national address from a Navy vessel.
## Hospital Takeover
Supersalud announced a one-year takeover of the departmental hospital after inspectors found 13 of its 59 licensed services not running.
## Airport Repairs
Transport Minister Elsa Noguera showed repairs at the airport after calling its condition a pity.
## Corruption Team Request
Transparency Secretary Cristina Lombana requested a joint corruption team from the inspector general, comptroller and attorney general’s office.
## Confrontation at Naval Base
De la Espriella confronted Governor Girley Ordóñez Bowie and Representative Elizabeth Jay-Pang Díaz on camera over hospital and government contracts.
## Accusations Against Officials
He accused them of obstructing the hospital takeover and claimed knowledge of the congresswoman’s husband’s business dealings.
## No Evidence Published
No documents backing his accusations have been published, and the oversight bodies have not announced whether they will investigate.
## Sea Baselines Decree
De la Espriella set 30 November 2026 to sign a decree fixing Colombia’s sea baselines for the archipelago.
## Sovereignty Context
The 2012 International Court of Justice ruling confirmed Colombian sovereignty but gave Nicaragua waters east of the main islands.
## Colombia’s Power Index
Colombia ranks 6th of 14 in The Rio Times Latin America Power Index with 51.9 points (October 2026 edition).
## No Formal Response
Neither official had published a formal response by early Monday, and the congresswoman’s husband’s identity remains unknown.
## President’s Warning
De la Espriella warned that anyone harming Colombian fishermen again will know how hard the tiger bites.
## What’s Next
The baselines decree and hospital takeover could affect cooperation with San Andrés government on infrastructure projects.
## Key takeaway

Colombian president Abelardo de la Espriella threatens San Andrés leaders with hospital takeover and sea baseline changes after accusing them of obstructing his actions.