LIVE: What to Expect from Abelardo de la Espriella’s Historic Inauguration in Cali
Today, August 7, 2026, marks a seismic shift in Colombian political tradition as Abelardo de la Espriella will be officially inaugurated as President of Colombia in Cali.
For the first time in the nation’s history, the inauguration has moved away from the Capitolio Nacional in Bogota, setting the stage for a massive ceremonial transfer of power at the Arena USC in Cali, Valle del Cauca.
As we prepare to update this live feed throughout the day, here is a detailed breakdown of what to expect from today’s protocols, including a last-minute change to the presidential speech.
The Legislative Protocol and Quorum
Although the venue has changed, the inauguration remains a formal, mandatory session of the full Congress. The day’s events will begin around midday with the formal installation of the session and a roll call for both the Senate and the House of Representatives. Secretary of the Senate Diego Alejandro Gonzalez confirmed that the necessary quorum is guaranteed, with over 70 senators and approximately one hundred representatives expected to attend, alongside judicial branch officials, regional leaders, and international delegates.
Not all legislative benches will be present in Cali. The entire Pacto Historico bloc, consisting of 26 senators, along with a small sector of the Alianza Verde party, formally submitted communications to the Senate plenary announcing their absence. Because the inauguration is an official congressional session, unjustified absences could result in wage deductions. However, Gonzalez noted a pragmatic silver lining to the boycott: the absence of the opposition bloc, combined with several attending lawmakers purchasing their own plane tickets, has resulted in significant logistical savings for the Senate’s usual travel budget.
The Swearing-In Ceremony and a Change of Venue for the Speech
Once the quorum is verified, the President of Congress will appoint a special commission tasked with receiving President-elect De la Espriella and Vice President-elect Jose Manuel Restrepo, escorting them into the Arena USC. Following a brief recess, the core of the legislative ceremony will commence at approximately 3:00 p.m.
The transition of power will feature the constitutional oath of office and the imposition of the presidential sash. However, in a major breaking development announced this morning, the new president will break with tradition regarding his inaugural address.
Instead of delivering his first speech to the legislative body and civilian attendees at the Arena USC, De la Espriella will depart immediately after receiving the sash and travel to the Batallon Pichincha military base. There, he will conduct a formal review of the troops, deliver his first official address as Head of State, and swear in his newly appointed ministerial cabinet.