MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Saturday, August 8th 2026 - 07:52 UTC
Abelardo de la Espriella delivers his first speech as president at the Pichincha Battalion in Cali
Abelardo de la Espriella took office as president of Colombia in Cali on Friday, the first time a Colombian leader has been sworn in outside Bogotá, and delivered his first speech at an Army battalion rather than before Congress, breaking with the country's institutional tradition.
The oath was taken at the Santiago de Cali University Arena, an auditorium seating more than 2,500. Senate President Honorio Henríquez placed the presidential sash on him before the full Congress. Shortly afterwards, De la Espriella moved to the Pichincha Battalion, where he spoke for more than an hour before the commanders of the armed forces and the police.
