President-elect of Colombia suspends transition with Petro government
Who is Abelardo de la Espriella, president-elect in a preliminary count in Colombia
The president-elect of Colombia, Abelardo de la Espriella, ordered this Tuesday (7) that his team "immediately" interrupt the transition process with Gustavo Petro's government.
The process of transferring power for the inauguration on August 7th occurs amid tensions between the left-wing president, who is leaving office, and his far-right successor. Petro refuses to recognize the result of the June second round, while De la Espriella accuses the current government of corruption.
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De la Espriella, who won the June second round by a narrow margin against the government candidate Iván Cepeda, gave "instructions" to his team "to immediately suspend the transition process with the corrupt government that ends its mandate", as published on the social network X.
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In the midst of the transition, De la Espriella claims to have found evidence of corruption and "targeted contracts" during the Petro government.
In turn, Petro questions De la Espriella's "legitimacy" and called for demonstrations for July 20, the date on which he announced that he will give his farewell speech.
Right-wing candidate Abelardo De La Espriella gestures among supporters during the 2nd round of Colombia's presidential elections in Barranquilla, Colombia, on June 21, 2026.
REUTERS/Jair Coll
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Senator Cepeda recognized the result of the election, but declared himself in "civil disobedience" before the new government.
International observers and electoral authorities ruled out any type of fraud or manipulation in the election.
"My duty is to protect the interests of the nation and guarantee a serious, transparent transition at the service of Colombians, never legitimizing the disaster or disrespect for the constitutional order", stated De la Espriella.
Without giving further details, the president-elect announced that throughout the day he will explain "the reasons for this decision".
Lawyer without previous political experience, De la Espriella promises to stimulate private investment, reduce the size of the State by 40% and toughen the fight against guerrillas and drug trafficking cartels, in the midst of the country's worst crisis of violence in the last decade and after Petro's failed attempts to negotiate peace with armed groups.
The elected president has already announced the names of his future ministers of the Interior, Finance, Environment and Defense.
Source: G1