Colombia president-elect accuses Petro of plotting coup after election dispute

Colombia's president-elect, Abelardo de la Espriella, has accused outgoing President Gustavo Petro of orchestrating a "coup d'état" after Petro declared he does not recognize the results of the June 21 election Source: lavozar, clarin, diariolibree. De la Espriella called on the military to uphold the constitution and ignore any orders contrary to democratic order Source: clarin.

The accusation

In a social media post, De la Espriella claimed Petro and defeated candidate Iván Cepeda "initiated their plan B to stay in power at all costs and they want to do it through a coup d'état" Source: lavozar. He warned the international community to monitor the transition process, scheduled for August 7 Source: clarin.

Transition suspended

De la Espriella ordered his team to suspend political contacts with Petro's administration for the handover, though the legal "empalme" (technical transition) will continue through existing mechanisms Source: lavozar, diariolibree. He argued, "You cannot have a transition with a government that does not recognize the victory of the incoming government" Source: diariolibree.

Response to opposition

Addressing Iván Cepeda's call for peaceful disobedience against his future government, De la Espriella said peaceful protest would be respected but violence would be treated as a crime Source: clarin.