Gustavo Petro gives farewell speech amid contested Colombian transition

Outgoing President Gustavo Petro delivered his final public address on 20 July, Colombia’s Independence Day, from Ciudad Bolívar. The speech, given shortly before the installation of the new 2026‑2030 Congress, repeated his claim that the June presidential election was rigged and alleged foreign interference, citing “70,000 digital witnesses” and accusing the United States and Israel of usurping the people’s right to choose.

Petro called for nationwide protests, warned that “Colombia loses its sovereignty on 7 August,” and announced he will assume the leadership of his party, Pacto Histórico, after leaving office. He also criticised the president‑elect Abelardo de la Espriella’s plan to be sworn in at a military base, ordering that no military venue be used for the ceremony.

The military and police withdrew from the ceremony after the parade, an unusual move. On the same day, unions organized a march defending national sovereignty and opposing alleged neoliberal reforms. In the new Congress, former presidential candidate Iván Cepeda took a Senate seat, while Aida Quilcué moved to the House of Representatives, positioning the opposition against the incoming government.