Colombian President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella on Tuesday suspended the transition process with President Gustavo Petro and accused him of planning a coup to stay in power, after the outgoing leader refused to recognize the country’s election results.
Petro said on Monday that he refused to recognize de la Espriella’s victory in the June 21 presidential runoff against Petro’s coalition candidate Senator Ivan Cepeda, claiming there was fraud without testifying.
Conservative, Trump-endorsed de la Espriella said in a video posted Tuesday on social media that Petro and Cepeda had launched a plan to “cling to power at any cost” through a “coup” by refusing to recognize his victory. He did not provide evidence to support the claim, and Peter did not immediately respond.
“As president-elect, I call on the armed forces of Colombia to respect their oath to protect the Constitution and democracy and not obey any order from Petro to the contrary,” de la Espriella said.
He also called on the international community to monitor the transfer of power and urged his supporters to “resist” until his inauguration on August 7.
The presidential transition period, known in Colombia as “empalme,” during which the outgoing administration gives the president-elect information to prepare to rule, has been met with mutual criticism between political rivals Petro and de la Espriella.
