Colombia President-Elect Calls Opposition's 'Civil Disobedience' a Plot to Destabilize Democracy

Colombia's president-elect, Abelardo de la Espriella, has strongly condemned the opposition's planned "civil disobedience" as a direct threat to the nation's democracy. Set to assume office on August 7, De la Espriella stated that these actions, announced by the leftist opposition and outgoing president Gustavo Petro, aim to destabilize the country. "They are preparing the destabilization of the country," he declared via social media, asserting his commitment as president of all Colombians to enforce the constitutional and legal mandate given to him by voters. The planned protests are scheduled for August 7 in major cities including Bogotá, Cali, and Barranquilla. Senator Iván Cepeda, who narrowly lost the election to De la Espriella, outlined the opposition's strategy, describing them as "concentrations" rather than marches. Cepeda indicated that participants would gather at specific locations like Puerto Resistencia in Cali and the National Capitol in Bogotá. The opposition, part of Petro's Pacto Histórico party, has not recognized De la Espriella's election victory. De la Espriella urged Colombians to "call things by their name" and confront what he views as an attempt to legitimize illegal actions. "The so-called 'civil disobedience' is nothing more than a euphemism to try to destabilize democracy, and I will not allow it," he stated. Adding to the political tension, De la Espriella's inauguration ceremony will take place at the Arena USC of Santiago de Cali University, deviating from the traditional venue at the National Capitol. Notably, no members of the Pacto Histórico are expected to attend the ceremony.

“

They are preparing the destabilization of the country, I am the president of all Colombians and I will enforce with the strength of the Constitution and the law what Colombians decided, which was to elect me.