Striking warning from Petro 3 days before Espriella's inauguration: There will be a bomb attack

Striking warning from Petro 3 days before Espriella's inauguration: There will be a bomb attack

04.08.2026 06:30

Colombian President Gustavo Petro warned that a bombing attack could be carried out in the city of Cali, where the inauguration ceremony of Abelardo de la Espriella, who will take office on August 7, is to be held. While Petro claimed that dozens of tons of explosives were present in the city, it was reported that extensive security measures would be taken with over 11,000 police and soldiers before the ceremony.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced that there is a bomb attack threat in Cali, where the inauguration ceremony of President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella, who will take office on August 7, will be held. In a post on his social media account, Petro claimed that there are dozens of tons of explosives in the city.

"TERROR ACTS ARE BEING PLANNED"

Without providing details about the claim, Petro argued that armed groups linked to drug trafficking want to carry out terrorist acts to pave the way for declaring a state of emergency affecting public life in the country.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro
Colombian President Gustavo Petro

SECURITY MEASURES INCREASED

According to reports in the national press, extensive security measures will be taken in Cali, where the inauguration ceremony will be held, due to the presence of armed groups. More than 11,000 police and soldiers will be deployed in the city to prevent possible violence.

PETRO CALLS FOR PROTESTS

Petro, who does not recognize the election results but will hand over power on August 7, called on the opposition to organize protests in Cali, Barranquilla, and Bogota. Petro previously announced that he would wage the "toughest" opposition against Espriella after his term ends.

Abelardo de la Espriella
Abelardo de la Espriella

HE HAD OBJECTED TO ELECTION RESULTS

President Petro had claimed that irregularities occurred in the presidential election won by right-wing candidate Abelardo de la Espriella on June 21, and had applied to the judiciary on July 22 requesting the annulment of the election.

Right-wing candidate Abelardo de la Espriella had won the presidential race, finishing ahead of ruling party candidate Ivan Cepeda, and earned the right to take over from Gustavo Petro on August 7.

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