Colombia's new right-populist president Abelardo de la Espriella sworn in outside capital amid tense handover

Colombia inaugurated its new right-populist president, Abelardo de la Espriella, today in a ceremony held for the first time in history outside the capital, Bogotá. The power transfer from the outgoing leftist president, Gustavo Petro, to De la Espriella was marked by significant tension.

This unusually polarized handover has fueled speculation about potential future political and social instability in the country. De la Espriella's ascent to the presidency signals a shift in Colombia's political landscape, moving away from the previous administration's policies and ideology.

The decision to hold the inauguration outside Bogotá is symbolic, potentially indicating a desire to connect with different regions or to break from traditional political centers. However, the strained transition suggests that bridging the deep political divides within Colombia will be a major challenge for the new administration.