Colombia's new president Abelardo De La Espriella inaugurated after narrow runoff win

Abelardo De La Espriella, the candidate of the conservative National Alliance, was sworn in as president on Monday after securing a narrow victory in the June runoff election. The ceremony, held at the capital’s presidential palace, marked the conclusion of a tightly contested race that saw De La Espriella defeat left‑leaning challenger Marina Ortiz by a margin of 1.3 percentage points, according to the national electoral commission’s final tally.

The runoff, triggered by the first‑round vote in which no candidate achieved the required 50 % threshold, drew intense scrutiny both domestically and internationally. De La Espriella’s campaign focused on economic liberalization, security reforms, and strengthening ties with regional trade partners, while Ortiz emphasized social welfare expansion and environmental protection. Observers noted the close result reflected a polarized electorate, and opposition parties have called for a transparent transition as the new administration prepares its legislative agenda. The inauguration signals the start of De La Espriella’s four‑year term amid ongoing debates over policy direction and governance priorities.