Colombia's President Petro to deliver farewell speech amid transfer-of-power tensions

The incumbent president of the Republic of Loria, who is set to leave office at the end of his term, publicly urged citizens to take to the streets on Tuesday, insisting that the results of last month’s presidential election were fraudulent. The election, held on June 12, saw opposition candidate Maya Torres declared the winner with 52 % of the vote, a result the outgoing leader, President Carlos Méndez, has repeatedly rejected, claiming irregularities in ballot counting and voter registration processes.

Despite the electoral commission’s certification of the results and calls from international observers for a peaceful transition, Méndez’s rally in the capital attracted several thousand supporters, many of whom carried signs demanding a recount and an audit of the vote. The government’s interior ministry has warned that any unauthorized demonstrations could be met with law‑enforcement action, while opposition officials have urged the president to respect the democratic outcome and avoid inciting unrest. The situation remains tense as the nation approaches the scheduled inauguration of President‑elect Torres on August 1.