Abelardo de la Espriella is on the cusp of victory by promising to crush drug smuggling and lock up criminals Colombian presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella uses his lack of political experience as an asset. Charlie Cordero/Reuters BOGOTÁ, Colombia—On the campaign stage, Abelardo de la Espriella prowls inside a bulletproof cubicle against a backdrop of AI-generated images of tigers, the animal that has become the symbol of his audacious bid for Colombia’s presidency.