Petro to give farewell speech amid Colombia transfer-of-power tensions | Elections News
Outgoing Colombian President Calls for Protests Amid Election Dispute
Published on July 20, 2026
Outgoing Colombian President Gustavo Petro is scheduled to deliver a farewell address on Monday after urging nationwide protests against the recent presidential election results. Tensions remain high following last month’s vote, which Petro maintains was fraudulent.
In a social media post on July 6, Petro called on supporters to gather on Colombia’s Independence Day, July 20, for what he termed a “general mobilization” aimed at promoting independence and advocating for social reforms before his speech.
The date aligns with the opening of the new Congress and precedes President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella’s inauguration on August 7.
One of the first matters Congress will address is de la Espriella’s proposal to hold his inauguration at a military base in southern Colombia instead of Congress in Bogota. He cited the desire to honor military personnel who protect democracy as the reasoning behind his request.
Petro has rejected this idea, stating on July 12 that “no military establishment” should host the ceremony. He emphasized that military and police bases are under his command until the new president is sworn in before a full session of Congress.
In his post, Petro reiterated claims that Colombia’s sovereignty has been compromised, asserting that foreign interference influenced the election outcome. He alleged that Israel manipulated polling data through the National Registry’s website, a claim the Israeli government has denied and which has been dismissed by Colombia’s Inspector General Gregorio Eljach and international observers who found no evidence of fraud.
The presidential race, which de la Espriella won by less than one percent of the vote, was among the closest in Colombia’s electoral history. He has since accused Petro of attempting to subvert his transition to power.
De la Espriella, a right-wing lawyer with support from U.S. President Donald Trump, has pledged to restore diplomatic ties with Israel, including plans to open a Colombian embassy in Jerusalem. He criticized Petro’s calls for civil disobedience as “urban terrorism” and vowed to uphold constitutional order.
Petro has promised a peaceful transition but has stated he will not attend the inauguration on August 7. The political landscape remains charged as both leaders prepare for a contentious transfer of power.
