Colombia's President Petro bars military venues for incoming president Espriella's inauguration

President Gustavo Petro announced on his X account that no military or police installations may be used for the inauguration of president‑elect Abelardo de la Espriella, scheduled for 7 August. Citing his constitutional role as commander‑in‑chief until the transfer of power, Petro said the law requires the oath to be taken before a full session of Congress, not in a guarnición militar. The injunction follows Espriella’s proposal to hold the ceremony in a military base as a symbolic gesture to the armed forces.

Petro also pledged to step down on 6 August and to promote a peaceful transition in a phone call with Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. An international coalition of the United States and twelve other nations issued a joint statement reaffirming Colombia’s election results and urging a peaceful, constitutional handover. Domestic critics, including Tolima Governor Adriana Magali Matiz, have denounced Petro’s stance, while Espriella’s transition team has begun diplomatic and economic outreach, meeting the World Bank in Washington and outlining a macro‑economic agenda.

Petro also called for nationwide protests on 20 July, questioning the legitimacy of the election outcome. The dispute over the inauguration venue underscores a broader political tension as Colombia prepares for its next presidential term.