Petro Delivers Farewell Address on Independence Day Amid Transition Tensions

Outgoing President Gustavo Petro delivered a farewell address in Bogotá's Ciudad Bolívar district on July 20 — Colombia's Independence Day and the opening of the new Congress — calling for a 'general mobilisation' of supporters to protest the disputed June 21 runoff and demand 'continuation of social reforms.' Petro repeated his unsubstantiated claim that Colombia's 'national sovereignty has been violated by foreigners' (naming Israel) who allegedly manipulated National Registry polling data to favor President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella. The full military command left the stage before Petro spoke; the Defense Ministry and Armed Forces said the exit had been scheduled in advance because the official program had concluded, and stressed the military does not participate in politics. The event came less than three weeks before de la Espriella's August 7 inauguration.