Colombia deploys 11,000 troops for De La Espriella's inauguration in Cali

The Colombian Senate approved a resolution on 30 July allowing President‑elect Abelardo de la Espriella’s inauguration to take place in Cali, marking the first presidential ceremony held outside the capital. The event is scheduled for 7 August 2026 at the arena of the Universidad Santiago de Cali.

The Ministry of Defense announced that more than 11 000 military and police personnel will secure the ceremony, employing land, maritime, river and air assets. Helicopters and aircraft will maintain continuous aerial surveillance, while drones operated by security forces will be used and private drone flights prohibited. The deployment also includes special‑forces, antiexplosives units and rapid‑response teams. International guests such as Spain’s King Felipe VI and the presidents of Argentina and Paraguay are expected to attend. In parallel, the Government of Atlántico allocated roughly 2 trillion Colombian pesos to refurbish a building in Barranquilla that will serve as De La Espriella’s working headquarters.