Senator Iván Cepeda skips Colombia's inauguration, plans civil disobedience

Senator Iván Cepeda, former presidential candidate and member of the Pacto Histórico, announced he will not attend the inauguration of president‑elect Abelardo de la Espriella scheduled for 7 August. Instead, he will lead a civil‑disobedience rally in Barranquilla on the same day, arguing that he does not recognize the new government's political legitimacy while accepting the electoral result.

Legal experts note that Colombian law obliges congress members to be present at the inauguration, which takes place before Congress. Under Law 5 of 1992, absenteeism without a valid excuse could trigger disciplinary investigation and, in some interpretations, constitute the crime of prevarication by omission. The debate intensified after the government proposed holding the ceremony outside the Capitol.

Cepeda’s stance is part of a broader opposition strategy, including public appearances such as a visit to Tunja to support a mayoral candidate and calls for an active, peaceful civic opposition to the incoming administration.