BOGOTA, July 6 (Reuters) - Colombian President-elect Abelardo De La Espriella on Monday said retired Major General Jorge Eduardo Mora will serve as defense minister in his administration, tasked with carrying out a promised crackdown on illegal armed groups and criminals.
De La Espriella has spurned the peace talks with armed groups led by outgoing President Gustavo Petro, and vowed to end negotiations while mounting a harsher military offensive.
Mora will also command police forces fighting drug trafficking, illegal mining and extortion.
(Reporting by Luis Jaime Acosta; Editing by Daina Beth Solomon)
