Pacto Histórico challenges De la Espriella election; Juvinao slams Cepeda

The Pacto Histórico, led by President Gustavo Petro, announced it will file a new nullity lawsuit against the election of President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella, alleging irregularities in the June 2026 runoff. The decision came after a July 7 meeting at the Casa de Nariño, where Petro presented what his allies called evidence of technological manipulation during the vote counting Source: larepublicaco. Representative Gabriel Becerra said the party will present the material before the Council of State.

The legal challenge

• The Pacto Histórico will seek to annul De la Espriella's victory, claiming the election was marred by fraud Source: larepublicaco.
• Becerra stated: "The president insists on a series of circumstances that leave several doubts and have to do with the scrutiny" Source: larepublicaco.

Political fallout

The transition process between the outgoing and incoming governments was suspended on July 7 after De la Espriella accused Petro of seeking to stay in power and called the administration "corrupt" Source: portafolioco. Senator Iván Cepeda, a close ally of Petro and the Pacto's former presidential candidate, has refused to recognize De la Espriella and urged "civil disobedience" Source: portafolioco.

Criticism from the opposition Congresswoman Cathy Juvinao (Green Alliance) harshly rebuked Cepeda, calling him a "títere" (puppet) of Petro and lamenting what she described as a "sad end" for a once-serious senator Source: infobae. "What a sad end for @IvanCepedaCast. From serious and composed senator to a puppet of @petrogustavo," she wrote on X.