Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced Sunday that he will not authorize president-elect Abelardo de la Espriella’s inauguration to be held at a military garrison, asserting his authority as supreme commander of the armed forces until August 7 and ordering that no military establishment be used for the swearing-in ceremony.
The president-elect, who leads the movement Defenders of the Homeland, has publicly expressed his wish to take the oath at a military garrison. During his campaign, de la Espriella displayed close ties to the military establishment, including using the military salute and the motto “Steadfast for the homeland!” to signal the prominent role the armed forces would play in his administration.
To advance that plan, de la Espriella’s team on Friday asked Congress to explore the possibility of holding the inauguration at a military unit, preferably outside Bogotá. That proposal has sparked domestic debate due to logistical challenges and security concerns associated with transporting hundreds of lawmakers, heads of state or government, and other invited officials to an alternative site.
Petro, who has had no contact with de la Espriella, stressed that the transfer of command must comply with the laws and the constitution, which stipulate that the president is sworn in before Congress in a full session. He further remarked that “in the barracks, laws are not made; security actions to defend the people and their lives are carried out.”
Colombian constitutional provisions mandate that the presidential oath be taken before Congress. Traditionally, the ceremony has been held in the Elliptic Hall of the Capitol, though recent inaugurations have taken place at Bolívar Square in central Bogotá. There is no recent precedent for a different venue, such as the military installation proposed by de la Espriella.
Author: vmmh
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