RismadarVoice Reporters, August 4, 2026
Colombia’s outgoing President, Gustavo Petro, has renewed allegations that June’s presidential election was manipulated, despite the claims being rejected by electoral authorities and international observers.
Petro made the allegations on Monday while addressing journalists in Bogotá, days before he is expected to hand over power to President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella.
The left-wing president alleged that computer programmers altered thousands of electoral tally sheets after the results had been transmitted to the country’s electoral authorities.
He described the election as “obscure” and alleged that foreign powers interfered in the process.
Petro also claimed that metadata linked to the vote tallies was withheld from public scrutiny, raising further questions about the credibility of the results.
However, Colombia’s electoral authorities and international observers have rejected allegations of electoral fraud.
Election officials declared in late June that conservative candidate Abelardo de la Espriella defeated Petro’s preferred candidate, Ivan Cepeda, by about 250,000 votes.
De la Espriella is scheduled to be sworn in before Congress on Friday.
Petro, who became Colombia’s first left-wing president after winning the 2022 election, is constitutionally barred from seeking a second consecutive term.
His ability to challenge the transition has also been limited after electoral judges certified the results.
“We are facing a profound institutional problem,” Petro said, describing the incoming administration as the government of an “illegitimate president.”
The renewed allegations have raised concerns that the outgoing president’s claims could deepen political polarisation and weaken public confidence in the incoming administration.
Petro’s final months in office have also been marked by repeated tensions with United States President Donald Trump.
The two leaders have exchanged sharp criticism over issues including drug trafficking, regional politics and US policy towards Colombia.
Petro said on Monday that he feared being “extracted” from Colombia after leaving office and becoming an opposition figure.
He also called for protests and urged rural communities to establish what he described as “liberation guards.”
“I’ve been told to behave well,” Petro said. “But as a democrat, I cannot accept this electoral fraud.”
Andres Macias, a political science professor at Externado University, warned that Petro’s rhetoric could have serious consequences, arguing that calls for rural groups to form armed-style organisations could potentially be interpreted as justification for civilian possession or use of weapons in areas already affected by clashes involving the military, drug traffickers and rebel groups.
The transition of power is expected to take place on Friday, when de la Espriella will formally assume the presidency.
