Congress deals first blow to Colombia’s president-elect
President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella gestures during an Independence Day military parade in Bogotá, Colombia, Monday, July 20, 2026. (AP Photo)
Colombia’s new congress dealt its first blow to hard-right President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella on July 20, voting against his candidate for the presidency of the senate.
Without his own political party, De la Espriella is seeking support from lawmakers ahead of his Aug. 7 inauguration to push through his reforms.
Congress voted against De la Espriella’s candidate and instead chose a leader from the party of former President Alvaro Uribe, who has distanced himself from the president-elect.
