Abelardo de la Espriella received the official credentials certifying him as the president-elect of Colombia on June 25, 2026 [1].

The ceremony marks the formal transition of power after De la Espriella defeated Iván Cepeda in the second round of the election [2]. This certification allows the president-elect to begin the final preparations for his administration before the official inauguration.

The event took place at Corferias in Bogotá before the full council of the Consejo Nacional Electoral (CNE) [3]. De la Espriella and his running mate, Jose Manuel Restrepo, both received their credentials during the proceedings [4]. The certification confirms De la Espriella's term for the 2026-2030 period [5].

Following the ceremony, De la Espriella spoke about the state of the nation and the challenges facing the incoming government. He said, "I have no doubt that on August 7 I will assume the government of a broken country. The person I will succeed took care to weaken the institutions and divide Colombians" [6].

De la Espriella also criticized the outgoing administration's relationship with criminal elements. He said, "The connivance of the current Government with organized crime is disgusting and shameful" [7].

During his address, the president-elect focused on the preservation of democratic values and the protection of the state. "We saved the homeland! We saved democracy! May God bless Colombia, may God protect our families, may he enlighten and strengthen those of us who defend the Republic," De la Espriella said [8].

He is scheduled to officially assume the presidency on August 7, 2026 [9].

“"We saved the homeland! We saved democracy!"”

The formal handover of credentials by the CNE is a critical legal step in Colombia's democratic process, transforming an electoral victory into a certified mandate. De la Espriella's rhetoric suggests a governance strategy centered on institutional restoration and a sharp break from the previous administration's security and judicial policies.