Colombia's presidential palace empties as museum conversion looms

Colombia's Casa de Nariño, the presidential palace for nearly half a century, has been vacated by President Abelardo de la Espriella, who chose not to occupy it and instead plans to turn it into a museum. The building now sees fewer security restrictions and a reduced flow of officials, with tourists freely photographing its facade Source: eldiado.

The move

De la Espriella, who aims to decentralize the state, has established alternate presidential seats in Barranquilla, Medellín, and Cali—where he was inaugurated on August 7. When in Bogotá, he will work from the Palacio de San Carlos, the former presidential seat that now houses the Foreign Ministry Source: infobae. His first day at San Carlos was postponed due to a magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck the country, forcing him to travel to Quibdó, the epicenter. Reports on the death toll differ: eldiado cites at least 132 deaths, while infobae reports 111 Source: eldiado, infobae.

Public reaction

Opinions among visitors to Plaza Núñez are divided. Erick Juliano called the museum decision a "grave error," arguing the president should govern from the political heart of the nation. In contrast, Raúl Rodríguez welcomed the idea, hoping for a beautiful museum open to all Source: infobae. The Casa de Nariño was built on the birthplace of independence hero Antonio Nariño and has housed ten presidents since 1980, the last being Gustavo Petro Source: eldiado.