Colombian senator Cepeda calls for 'resistance' against new government

Senator Iván Cepeda, a prominent figure in Colombia's left-wing Pacto Histórico party, spearheaded a peaceful demonstration in Barranquilla, which he described as an "expression of civil disobedience, resistance, and popular sovereignty." This event took place concurrently with the inauguration of the ultra-right-wing president-elect, Abelardo de la Espriella, in Cali.

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Abelardo de la Espriella goes from being a drug trafficker's extortionist to being extorted by the United States.

Thousands of supporters, including social and labor organizations, gathered to back Cepeda, who asserted that he does not recognize the legitimacy of the incoming president. Cepeda leveled accusations against De la Espriella, suggesting he has "accounts to settle with justice in that country" referring to the United States, and implying that De la Espriella prioritizes American interests over Colombia's due to his alleged U.S. nationality.

Cepeda explained his absence from the official inauguration ceremony, emphasizing the opposition's right to peaceful protest within constitutional bounds. He declared Barranquilla as the "headquarters of the opposition" and outlined the opposition's strategy. "In the first act of Abelardo de la Espriella's government that we see violates people's lives and rights, we will respond peacefully but energetically," Cepeda stated to the crowd.

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In the first act of Abelardo de la Espriella's government that we see violates people's lives and rights, we will respond peacefully but energetically.

The senator urged citizens to maintain democratic mobilization, aiming to reclaim power in four years and secure local government positions in the upcoming October 2027 elections. He highlighted the Pacto Histórico's significant political standing, noting their large bloc in Congress and their representation of half the electorate based on the June 21st election results. Cepeda reaffirmed the party's commitment to defending democracy and the rights of the country's popular sectors.

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We are the main political force in the country, we have the largest bloc in the Congress of the Republic and we are half of the electorate, counted at the polls on June 21.