# Colombian President’s Body Bag Videos Spark Human Rights Outcry President De la Espriella faces backlash for using graphic imagery to promote security policies. - **Source:** [France 24 – International](https://www.france24.com/en) - **Published:** 2026-11-10 - **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/294a5dad-4711-4960-956f-62a89cefccd7 ## Graphic Presidential Communication Since taking office in August 2026, Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella has utilized social media to broadcast graphic videos. These clips frequently feature the president standing among body bags following military operations. This communication style marks a sharp departure from the previous administration's focus on dialogue and total peace initiatives. ## Controversial Visual Narratives In a September 2 video, the president appeared in a room containing 23 body bags, labeling the deceased as cancer-like terrorists. Another video from October 25 showed him walking among ten bodies allegedly belonging to the ELN guerrilla group. These posts often incorporate cinematic music to emphasize a narrative of military success. ## Legal and Institutional Pushback The People’s Defender, Iris Marin Ortiz, publicly condemned the use of corpses as backdrops for political declarations. On September 8, a Bogota tribunal ordered the temporary removal of these videos from the president’s official Instagram account. Despite these legal interventions, the president has continued to publish similar content on his personal X profile. ## Allegations of False Positives Critics warn that this hardline rhetoric mirrors the dark history of false positives, where security forces killed civilians and labeled them as combatants. The death of eighteen-year-old day labourer Ricardo Andrés Rodriguez Martinez in September has fueled these fears. His family maintains he had no ties to any armed paramilitary groups. ## Human Rights Concerns Human rights organizations, including the Institute for Development and Peace Studies, argue that displaying bodies dehumanizes victims and legitimizes state violence. The United Nations has also expressed concern regarding the 2027 budget, which prioritizes military spending while cutting funds for rural development, land distribution, and the reintegration of former combatants. ## Regional Political Parallels De la Espriella’s communication style draws comparisons to El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele and his aggressive war on gangs. Furthermore, the president’s use of aerial strike footage mirrors tactics previously employed by the United States. These stylistic choices aim to project an image of an uncompromising leader producing tangible security results. ## Systemic Risks of Militarization Experts suggest that heavy militarization often leads to increased territorial control by armed groups and restricted access to resources for local communities. By focusing solely on kinetic military actions, the government risks ignoring the root causes of violence. Critics argue that such ephemeral results fail to provide long-term stability for the nation. ## Investigation into Recent Deaths Beyond the case of Ricardo Andrés Rodriguez Martinez, reports of two other potential false positives emerged in September and October. The Ministry of Defence has stated it will leave investigations to the Office of the General Prosecutor. Meanwhile, the People’s Defender continues to assist affected families in pursuing legal justice for victims. ## Presidential Silence on Criticism Despite widespread condemnation from parliamentary deputies, human rights NGOs, and international bodies, the Office of the President has remained silent. They did not respond to inquiries regarding the ethical implications of the video campaign. This lack of engagement suggests a firm commitment to the current, highly controversial, and aggressive communication strategy. ## The Future of Colombian Policy The tension between the government’s security-first approach and human rights standards remains a critical issue in Colombia. As the administration continues to prioritize force over institutional reform, the risk of further civilian casualties persists. The ongoing legal battles and public outcry highlight a deep divide regarding the future of national security. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.france24.com/en/americas/20261110-filming-amongst-body-bags-new-colombian-president-s-comms-campaign-sparks-backlash — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._