Colombia is preparing for the change of Government. On the next August 7, Abelardo de la Espriella will assume the Presidency of the Republic for the period 2026-2030 in a ceremony that will break with a tradition of more than a century: for the first time, the official inauguration ceremony will not take place in Bogotá, but in Cali, the capital of Valle del Cauca.
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The decision makes the third city of the country the center of national politics during a day that will bring together international delegations, Colombian authorities, and thousands of attendees. It also marks the beginning of a Government that has promised to govern from different regions of the country and that has wanted to give a symbolic character to its first acts.
When is Abelardo de la Espriella’s inauguration?
The ceremony will be held on Friday, August 7, 2026, the date on which the mandate of President Gustavo Petro constitutionally ends and that of his successor begins. As happens every four years, the event will include the oath of the new leader and the imposition of the presidential sash.
What time does it start?
The event organization has informed that the ceremony will begin around three in the afternoon (Colombian time), although official activities and security deployment will start from the early hours of the day. Authorities have recommended that those planning to attend check the mobility instructions and road closures that will be announced in the days prior.
Where will the inauguration be?
The investiture will take place at the Arena USC in Cali, an unprecedented decision since the current republican tradition exists. Although during the campaign De la Espriella expressed his intention to take the oath in a city affected by the armed conflict, initially he went further: he announced that he wanted to do it in a military garrison, as a tribute to the Armed Forces.
The proposal opened a strong institutional confrontation with the outgoing president, Gustavo Petro. The leader maintained that, as long as he exercised the Presidency and the supreme command of the Military Forces, no barracks could be used for a presidential inauguration ceremony. He also recalled that the Constitution establishes that the president must take the oath before Congress.
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The disagreement escalated over several days until the president-elect gave up the idea of using a military facility. Instead, he formally requested that Congress authorize moving the ceremony to Cali, thus maintaining his purpose of holding the event outside Bogotá, but in a civilian space. As a gesture towards the Armed Forces, he announced that, once sworn in as president, one of his first acts will be to visit the Marco Fidel Suárez air base, in the same capital of Valle del Cauca.
How to watch the ceremony live?
The broadcast can be followed through the official channels of the Presidency of the Republic and Congress, as well as on the public television signal and several national channels that will provide special coverage throughout the day. It is also expected that the official social networks of the Government will stream the event live.
Which leaders will attend?
The inauguration will have wide international representation. Among the confirmed attendees are King Felipe VI of Spain, as well as Presidents Javier Milei (Argentina), Daniel Noboa (Ecuador), Santiago Peña (Paraguay), Laura Fernández (Costa Rica), José Raúl Mulino (Panama), José Antonio Kast (Chile), Nasry Asfura (Honduras), and Luis Abinader (Dominican Republic). Foreign ministers, vice presidents, and delegations from various countries in America, Europe, and Asia will also attend. The United States delegation will be headed by Todd Blanche, acting Attorney General since last April.
Among the most commented absences are the outgoing president, Gustavo Petro, as well as former presidents Juan Manuel Santos and Ernesto Samper.
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