Colombia’s outgoing defence minister raised alarm regarding security concerns surrounding the presidential inauguration scheduled for Friday in the southwestern city of Cali. During a Wednesday radio interview, the minister indicated that authorities had identified threats against the ceremonial proceedings and expressed concern that militant organizations might attempt to disrupt the democratic transition through violent means.
President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella, who secured victory in a closely contested June runoff election, had previously requested that the handover ceremony be relocated from the capital of Bogota to Cali, Colombia’s third-largest city. The region has experienced recent militia violence, though de la Espriella proceeded with his preference for the southwestern location despite its proximity to areas controlled by armed rebel factions.
Military and security planners have mobilized substantial resources to protect the event, positioning approximately 11,000 troops in the area and establishing restrictions on unmanned aerial vehicles over Cali and neighboring zones. Such precautions reflect past incidents in which rebel groups have employed drones as weapons delivery systems. In the adjacent Cauca department, a breakaway FARC faction operates under the direction of Ivan Mordisco, identified as Colombia’s most wanted insurgent leader.
The inauguration is expected to draw significant international representation, with heads of state from Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Ecuador confirmed as attendees, along with Spain’s King Felipe VI. De la Espriella has campaigned on a platform opposing the current administration’s “Total Peace” approach to armed group negotiations, marking a substantial policy shift. The outgoing president, Gustavo Petro, has contested the election outcome and indicated he will not participate in Friday’s ceremony.
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