President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella urged Colombian leaders to respect the will of the people after winning the presidential election [1].

The call for stability comes as Colombia transitions leadership following a polarized campaign. The request for a peaceful handover aims to prevent civil instability and ensure the legitimacy of the new administration.

Speaking from Barranquilla on Monday, June 22, 2026, Espriella addressed outgoing president Gustavo Petro and opposition leader Iván Cepeda [1, 2]. The president-elect demanded that the leaders accept the electoral verdict and refrain from activities that could destabilize the country [1, 2].

"Al señor Petro y a su heredero les digo, respeten la voluntad del pueblo colombiano," Espriella said [1].

The second-round presidential election took place on Sunday, June 21, 2026 [2]. According to reporting, 99.99% of polling stations had reported results in the pre-count [3].

Espriella used the address to project strength and authority to his supporters. "Aquí está tu Tigre," he said [2].

Despite the high percentage of reported votes, Espriella emphasized the need for a disciplined transition to avoid volatility. He warned against attempts to undermine the democratic decision of the voters [1, 2].

"Respeten el veredicto y absténganse de desatar un incendio social," Espriella said [1].

“"Respeten la voluntad del pueblo colombiano."”

The president-elect's immediate focus on preventing a 'social fire' suggests a high level of concern regarding potential protests or challenges to the election results from the outgoing administration and the opposition. By framing the result as the definitive 'will of the people' while reporting nearly complete vote tallies, Espriella is attempting to consolidate his mandate and preemptively delegitimize any legal or social attempts to contest the outcome.