07.07.2026 07:30
Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced that he will not recognize the legitimacy of Abelardo de la Espriella, who won the second round of the June 21 elections. Petro, alleging electoral fraud, claimed that an Israeli private intelligence company interfered with the vote count. While Petro argues that the election results are questionable, Espriella is expected to assume office on August 7.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced that he will not recognize the legitimacy of President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella, who won the second round of the presidential election held on June 21 and will assume office on August 7. Petro alleged that the elections were rigged and claimed the results are questionable.
In a statement from his US-based X account, Petro asserted that Espriella did not win the election and alleged interference in the vote counting system.
"ALGORITHMS INTEGRATED INTO THE VOTE COUNTING SYSTEM"
Petro claimed that algorithms were activated via an IP server based in Los Angeles and owned by the Bautista brothers to alter vote percentages in favor of Espriella.
Petro alleged that these algorithms, which rendered the election results questionable, were activated using the census records of individuals who did not vote. He argued that these records were either replaced with voters who could cast multiple ballots, or votes were generated at polling stations despite the absence of voters.
"IRREGULARITIES IN OVERSEAS POLLING STATIONS"
Petro also alleged irregularities in overseas polling stations, where Espriella obtained a 177,000-vote lead over ruling party candidate Ivan Cepeda.
Petro claimed that jury members were not individuals living in the US or Spain, but rather people brought from Colombia, which he stated is illegal.
Petro further alleged that some individuals abroad for the World Cup used the identity information of non-voters to cast multiple ballots.
POINTED TO ISRAELI COMPANY
President Petro alleged that the Israeli private intelligence company Black Cube was behind the purported algorithms used in the elections.
Petro stated, "The company providing the Bautista brothers with these questionable algorithms and other support is Black Cube." He also claimed that a lobbying firm named "Balart" was paid millions of dollars to improve Espriella's image and secure the support of US President Donald Trump.
RECALLED HIS MEETING WITH TRUMP
Referring to his phone call with US President Donald Trump, Petro claimed that Trump lacked sufficient information about Espriella's background.
Petro alleged that Espriella has ties to drug trafficking and genocide, and expressed hope that Trump would gather information about Espriella from his own intelligence agencies.
"I DO NOT RECOGNIZE THE LEGITIMACY OF THE NEW GOVERNMENT"
Calling on the public to take to the streets on July 20, Petro reiterated that he does not recognize the legitimacy of the incoming administration.
"Abelardo did not win the elections. You did not win the elections. Did your friends at the Israeli private intelligence company Black Cube activate algorithms using the census records of non-voters from a server in Los Angeles to alter the election results?" he stated.
ESPRlELLA TO ASSUME OFFICE ON AUGUST 7
Abelardo de la Espriella, officially declared president-elect by the National Electoral Council (CNE), is expected to assume office from Gustavo Petro on August 7.
Espriella, a 47-year-old lawyer and businessman known for his closeness to US President Donald Trump, received 49.66% of the votes in the second round of elections, while ruling party Historical Pact Alliance candidate Ivan Cepeda received 48.70%.
Following the elections, Petro demanded a reinvestigation of the results.
Espriella, throughout his election campaign, had pledged to "strengthen relations with Israel as never before."