Cepeda calls for civil disobedience over De la Espriella's US citizenship

Senator Iván Cepeda announced he will not recognize the authority of president-elect Abelardo de la Espriella unless he renounces his U.S. citizenship, calling for pacífica desobediencia civil if his demands are not met by the August 7 inauguration Source: larepublicaco.

The conditions

Cepeda's declaration includes several demands:

• De la Espriella must renounce his U.S. citizenship, arguing the naturalization oath creates a conflict of loyalty that prioritizes U.S. constitutional order over Colombia's Source: lasillavacia.
• He must clarify any ties to U.S. security agencies (DEA, CIA) Source: infobae.
• He must guarantee no persecution or extradition of outgoing President Gustavo Petro Source: larepublicaco.
• Cepeda also cited allegations linking De la Espriella to Alex Saab and questioned his role as a possible informant Source: asuntoslegales.

Legal and political reaction

The legal challenge to De la Espriella's candidacy based on dual nationality was rejected: the Bogotá Superior Tribunal denied a tutela, reiterating that dual citizenship does not disqualify a candidate Source: elcolombiano. Reactions to Cepeda's call were swift:

• Ex-Prosecutor Francisco Barbosa requested a criminal investigation, calling the move an attack on democracy .