Abelardo de la Espriella: “On June 21st, Colombian democracy won”

In his presidential inauguration speech addressed to the country from the Pichincha Military Canton, following his oath at the Santiago de Cali University Arena, Abelardo de la Espriella asserted that his rise to power represents the triumph of democracy and a commitment to institutionalism for the 2026-2030 term.

The president highlighted the electoral day that led him to office, stating that “on June 21, it was not a man or a party that won, but Colombian democracy. The right of millions of Colombians, of millions of citizens, to freely decide the destiny of the nation won.”

De la Espriella pointed out that his government will defend institutional freedom and the rule of law, “far from the abyss of the totalitarian models that have caused so much suffering in our region.”

The president was emphatic that his administration will respect all the rules of the democratic game. “The extreme consistency that I proclaimed begins with respecting democracy in all circumstances, when the result favors us and when the polls express a will different from our own,” he indicated.

We recommend reading: President De la Espriella: “The time for the recovery of order, unity, and respect for the law has begun”

He added that the elections that brought him to power were held “under the same rules, with the same institutions, and with the same guarantees that allowed for the election of the administration that is ending today.” And he warned that “to cast doubt on their legitimacy is to disregard the sovereign will of the Colombian people.”

Addressing all citizens, the president assured that under his administration “all rules of democracy will be respected. There will be no room for maneuvers that threaten the stability of the nation or the legitimate exercise of the mandate.”