First International Delegations Arrive in Cali for Presidential Inauguration of Abelardo De La Espriella; El Salvador's VP Among Early Arrivals

Cali is gearing up to host the presidential inauguration of President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella, with the first international delegations arriving at the Alfonso Bonilla Aragón airport. The event, scheduled for Friday, August 7, marks a significant moment for the city and the Valle del Cauca region.

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Today arrived the Vice President of El Salvador (Félix Ulloa) and, together with the governor, we had a meeting where we addressed three main topics: security, where there are many lessons learned in that country on how to achieve it both in cities and rural areas; environmental development and management, in which we have been working with the Governorate since COP16 to promote ecotourism in our city and region around the Farallones National Park.

Among the early arrivals was Félix Ulloa, the Vice President of El Salvador. He was welcomed by Cali's Mayor, Alejandro Eder, and Governor Dilian Francisca Toro. Their meeting focused on key areas of mutual interest: security, where El Salvador's experience offers valuable lessons; environmental development and ecotourism, building on initiatives related to the COP16 conference and the Farallones National Park; and the advancement of technology companies. Mayor Eder emphasized the opportunity this event presents to showcase Cali and Valle del Cauca to international leaders, fostering potential investments and partnerships.

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I want to greatly highlight this visit and the arrival of the vice president. That is the importance of the presidential inauguration being in Cali and in Valle del Cauca, because leaders and figures from various allied countries of Colombia are coming. This will give us the opportunity for them to get to know our city and our department, but also for them to find opportunities here that will later help internationalize our region.

The inauguration is expected to draw a considerable number of foreign dignitaries, including 10 heads of state and the King of Spain, alongside other international delegates. To ensure the security of these high-profile attendees and the event itself, a large-scale security operation has been implemented. The Minister of Defense, General (r) Pedro Sánchez, confirmed that over 11,000 members of the security forces have been deployed across the region, including surrounding municipalities. This extensive deployment aims to guarantee mobility and the smooth execution of the presidential handover. Security measures include special checks at venues for dignitaries and a unified command post monitoring all activities.

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All security angles are covered.

This influx of international visitors and the robust security measures highlight the importance placed on this presidential transition. The event is seen as a chance for Colombia, and specifically Cali and Valle del Cauca, to strengthen international ties and explore opportunities for growth and development. The focus on security underscores the commitment to providing a safe environment for both the visiting leaders and the local population during this significant political event.

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10 heads of state, the King of Spain, and other delegates are coming. We toured locations like the airport, where security rings have been established, verifying that everything is coordinated with a unified command post that monitors absolutely everything happening in this region.