[REVISION HISTORY]

Colombia 2026 presidential transition and inauguration

Updated 2 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

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2026-08-13 22:57 UTC → 2026-08-17 01:05 UTC · added ~~removed~~

As Gustavo Petro’s term concluded at midnight on August 6, 2026, the political transition reached a critical juncture. In his final days, Petro issued Environment Ministry Resolution 0961, designating approximately 42% of Colombia’s territory in the Amazon as a protected reserve, prohibiting new mining and hydrocarbon concessions. He also made several notary appointments, including Efvanni Paola Palmariny Peñaranda to Bogotá’s Notary 78; Palmariny, a former Colpensiones official, has faced disciplinary investigations regarding potential conflicts of interest. During his final public appearance in Soacha on August 5, Petro defended his education ~~reforms and~~ reforms—noting that free tuition now covers roughly 97% of students—and reiterated claims that the June 21 runoff was compromised by fraud affecting roughly seven million votes. ~~However,~~ National Registrar Hernán Penagos rejected these claims, attributing alleged algorithmic anomalies to normal census-based voting patterns. Amid ongoing investigations, former President Andrés Pastrana requested the Senate block Petro’s international travel. Abelardo de la Espriella was inaugurated in Cali, taking his oath at the Universidad Santiago de Cali ~~arena before delivering a speech at a military garrison. The ceremony faced criticism for including religious elements that some argued conflicted with secular constitutional principles.~~ arena. Following the transition, the new administration announced it will return to the Palacio de San Carlos as its primary seat, with plans to convert the Casa de Nariño into a museum. In mid-August, the Colombian Senate approved a request by Petro to travel abroad for one year, passing the motion with 73 votes in favor and 11 against. While some opposition members questioned the authorization due to ongoing judicial investigations, the Centro Democrático party supported the request conditionally, stating they did not grant a ‘blank check’ and requiring Petro to report specific travel dates and destinations for congressional oversight. Former President Álvaro Uribe defended the decision, noting no judicial basis exists to prevent the travel.

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