Transfer of power in South America
USA calls for an orderly transfer of power in Colombia
Updated July 11, 2026 – 1:06 amReading time: 2 minutes
The left-wing President Petro does not recognize the defeat of his candidate in the presidential election. The US and allies insist on compliance with the constitution and an orderly transition.
The USA and several Latin American countries have called on Colombia’s authorities following the presidential election to respect the constitution and ensure an orderly transfer of power. “We make a strong appeal to all Colombian authorities to act in strict accordance with the constitution, the law and democratic principles,” they said in a joint statement. In addition to the USA, the signatories include Argentina, Ecuador and El Salvador as well as other countries in Latin America and the Caribbeanthe US presidents Donald Trump politically close.
The governments observed with “great concern” recent statements and actions that, without sufficient evidence, cast doubt on the integrity of the electoral process Colombia sowed seeds and created uncertainty about the institutional transition. At the same time, the signatories emphasized that only the will of the voters, officially determined by the responsible electoral authorities, gives state power democratic legitimacy. Try that officially announced Election result or to delegitimize or hinder the transition process, they rejected.
Petro did not recognize the election victory of his right-wing successor
The background is the dispute over the change of government in Colombia. President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella suspended the formal transition process after the outgoing left-wing government led by President Gustavo Petro questioned the election results over alleged electoral fraud.
Petro later announced that he would hand over power on August 6, but still did not recognize the election victory of his right-wing successor. De la Espriella accuses the government camp of attempting a coup.
In the presidential election, the candidate supported by US President Trump received around 49.6 percent of the vote, while the left-wing government candidate Iván Cepeda received around 48.7 percent. Petro himself was no longer allowed to run because the re-election of the president is prohibited by the constitution.
