Petro Repeats Fraud Claims, Warns Transition Could Spark 'Civil War'

Days before leaving office, Gustavo Petro said he had evidence of 'algorithmic, systemic electoral fraud on an enormous volume of votes' in the June 21 runoff, orchestrated from abroad against his ally Iván Cepeda, and warned that inaugurating what he called an 'illegitimate president' could lead to 'civil war.' Petro further alleged that de la Espriella planned to extradite him to the United States on fabricated charges, which he said could provoke widespread unrest. Colombia's electoral authorities and international observer missions (EU, OAS, Carter Center) had already certified the result and found no evidence of fraud. The Historic Pact congressional bloc announced it would boycott the August 7 inauguration ceremony.