Petro bans military base for De la Espriella's inauguration as Colombia prepares transition

Colombia’s outgoing president Gustavo Petro announced on X that no military or police installation may be used for the inauguration of president‑elect Abelardo De la Espriella, arguing that the constitutional oath must be taken before the full Congress. Petro said he remains commander‑in‑chief of the armed forces until the new president is sworn in on 7 August, and that “in the barracks no laws are made, only security actions.”

Petro also spoke by phone with Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, reaffirming his commitment to a peaceful transfer of power and to cooperate on bilateral issues. Meanwhile, De la Espriella’s transition team began its first international mission, traveling to Washington for meetings with the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation, the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency and U.S. officials to discuss macro‑economic stability, investment, and financing ahead of the new administration.

The dispute over the venue – with the president‑elect proposing a military base and the outgoing president insisting on the congressional hall – has sparked a constitutional debate and heightened political tensions as the August 7 handover approaches.