Petro to give farewell speech amid Colombia transfer-of-power tensions

What the report says

Al Jazeera, with AFP, reported that outgoing Colombian President Gustavo Petro was due to give a public farewell speech on Monday, July 20, after urging supporters to join nationwide demonstrations. Petro used a July 6 post on X to call for mobilisation on Colombia’s Independence Day in support of “independence” and continued social reforms. The date also coincides with the start of the new Congress, ahead of President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella’s scheduled August 7 inauguration.

The transfer of power has become contentious after de la Espriella, a right-wing lawyer, asked to be sworn in at a military base in southern Colombia rather than before Congress in Bogota. He has framed the proposed venue as a tribute to the armed forces. Petro rejected the idea, saying military and police installations remain under his authority until the next president is inaugurated and that the transfer rules require the oath before a full session of Congress.

The dispute follows an exceptionally close election, which Al Jazeera reported de la Espriella won by less than one percentage point. Petro has repeatedly claimed fraud and foreign interference, including accusations that Israel manipulated election-related data, but the article says he has not provided evidence. Inspector General Gregorio Eljach rejected the claims, and international observers said they found no proof of fraud.

Petro has said the transition will be peaceful but does not plan to attend the inauguration. De la Espriella has accused Petro, also without evidence, of trying to prevent him from taking office. The political clash is also tied to foreign policy: de la Espriella has pledged to restore ties with Israel, while Petro cut relations in 2024 over the war in Gaza.