Dominican Republic President arrives in Cali for De la Espriella's inauguration

Cali, Colombia – Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader arrived in Cali on Friday to attend the presidential inauguration ceremony for Abelardo de la Espriella. De la Espriella, described as an ultranationalist, is scheduled to be sworn in as Colombia's president for the 2026-2030 term this afternoon at the USC Arena in the Valle del Cauca department.

President Abinader landed at the Alfonso Bonilla Aragón International Airport shortly after 10:30 a.m. local time, where he was greeted with military honors. He is expected to hold meetings with other heads of state and participate in a protocolary greeting hosted by the president-elect and his wife, Ana Lucía Pineda.

The investiture ceremony is a significant international gathering, drawing ten heads of state, two vice presidents, and 15 foreign ministers, alongside Spain's King Felipe VI and other dignitaries. The transfer of power ceremony is set to commence at 3:00 p.m. local time.

Among the confirmed attendees are presidents Javier Milei of Argentina, Daniel Noboa of Ecuador, Santiago Peña of Paraguay, Laura Fernández of Costa Rica, José Raúl Mulino of Panama, Nasry Asfura of Honduras, and President Abinader himself. Following the ceremony, President Abinader and his delegation are scheduled to return to Santo Domingo on Friday evening.