MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Colombia's president-elect asks Congress to be sworn in at a military base

Article 192 of the Constitution states that the president must take office before Congress, though it does not specify that this must be at the National Capitol

Colombia's president-elect, Abelardo de la Espriella, has asked Congress to assess the legal feasibility of moving his inauguration ceremony, set for August 7, from Bogotá to a military garrison, in a proposal without recent precedent that will be left to the incoming legislature to decide.

The president-elect's transition team sent a letter to the secretariats of the Senate and the House of Representatives requesting an institutional opinion on the possibility of holding the ceremony outside the capital. Although the letter does not name a site, De la Espriella has expressed his intention to be sworn in at a base in Popayán, capital of the Cauca department in the country's southwest, one of the regions hardest hit by the armed conflict. His team is also evaluating four other military installations. “We are going to do it differently, as it has never been done, at a military garrison, to honor the true heroes of the homeland, police officers and soldiers,” the president-elect said.

The initiative opens a legal debate. Article 192 of the Constitution states that the president must take office before Congress, though it does not specify that this must be at the National Capitol, the ceremony's traditional venue. Legislative rules allow the chambers to temporarily relocate their seat through an agreement approved by both plenaries with a simple majority. The outgoing government of Gustavo Petro replied that it lacks the authority to approve a change of venue and that the decision rests solely with Congress. Legal experts quoted by the Colombian press agree that the move would be possible if the chambers approve it, though some note that the legally binding swearing-in must take place before Congress and that any event at a barracks would be merely symbolic.

The matter will fall to the new Congress, which will be installed on July 20 with fragmented blocs and uncertain majorities. Any vote would serve as an early test of the incoming government's ability to govern. The request reflects the security emphasis that De la Espriella gave his campaign, which adopted a military salute and the slogan “Firm for the homeland.” His future team has also announced the reinstatement of the Mobile Riot Squad (Esmad), a police unit replaced by the current government after repeated complaints of excessive use of force, a step the left-wing opposition has criticized.

The request comes amid a tense transition, marked by Petro's refusal to recognize the legitimacy of the election and by the suspension of the handover between the two governments, episodes MercoPress has covered. Even so, the presidency said Petro would award De la Espriella the Order of Boyacá during the August 7 ceremony.