By Nelson Bocanegra, Julia Symmes Cobb and Luis Jaime Acosta
BOGOTA/CALI, Aug 7 (Reuters) - Colombia's new right-wing President Abelardo De La Espriella was sworn in on Friday, using his inaugural speech to pledge a vigorous fight against drug trafficking and austerity measures to restore confidence in the economy.
De La Espriella, 48, won June's runoff on promises to crack down on armed groups, shrink the state by as much as 40% and revive the oil and gas sector. An ally of U.S. President Donald Trump,
he represented well-known right-wing paramilitaries during his time as a lawyer. De La Espriella has never before held elected office.
"I have come to close a long chapter of national resignation and, together with the people, embark on the most profound transformation of our destiny," De La Espriella said at the Pichincha Battalion military base in Cali, after being sworn in at a nearby university auditorium with dignitaries and officials. "I send a firm message to the Colombian people: the time has come to restore order, authority, and freedom."
"Members of criminal gangs and narco-terrorist groups have two choices: submit to the rule of law or face the determined response of the Colombian state and its security forces," the new president told assembled troops at the base during a 75-minute speech, adding the option of peace talks with armed groups had been "completely exhausted."
"The time has come to definitively eradicate the scourge of illicit crops," De La Espriella said, adding he would use aerial spraying of herbicides that do not harm human health or the environment to destroy coca. In one of his first acts as president, Colombia will join the Shield of the Americas program founded by Trump, De La Espriella added.
He also pledged to freeze public spending and pursue a tax reform to simplify the country's payment regimen and boost investment and employment, while preserving popular social programs, some put in place by Petro.
"I want to tell Colombia’s business leaders, large, medium-sized and small, that this government will be your partner in investing in Colombia. Once again, it will be a safe and profitable decision for you," De La Espriella said.
(Reporting by Nelson Bocanegra, Julia Symmes Cobb and Luis Jaime Acosta; Editing by Will Dunham)
