BOGOTA — Colombian Senator Iván Cepeda announced on June 30, 2026, that he would not recognize Abelardo de la Espriella as head of state unless specific conditions were met, including the renunciation of his U.S. citizenship. Cepeda, a presidential candidate who lost the recent election, argued that dual citizenship could create conflicts of interest for Colombia's president.

De la Espriella, who holds U.S. citizenship obtained as an adult after living in Florida, is scheduled to be inaugurated on August 7, 2026. Colombian authorities validated quick count results on June 24, 2026, showing de la Espriella received 49.6% of the votes, while Cepeda received 48.7%. The National Electoral Council has certified de la Espriella as the election winner.

Cepeda also called for de la Espriella to clarify if he is an "agent" of the United States and demanded he desist from efforts to extradite outgoing President Gustavo Petro to the U.S. Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn have said they are investigating Petro for potential ties to drug traffickers.

On June 24, 2026, Cepeda acknowledged the election results. Regarding his new stance, Cepeda stated, "If these conditions of legality are not met, as the leader of the opposition, I will embark on the path of peaceful civil disobedience that implies not recognizing the authority of someone who will not defend our national sovereignty."

Manuel Camilo González, a political science professor at Javeriana University in Bogota, said, "Cepeda's stance, however, could spark street protests or justify efforts to block de la Espriella's agenda in the nation's Congress." Cepeda's party, the Historical Pact, holds the most senate seats in Colombia but does not have the majority required to independently block legislation.

De la Espriella did not immediately respond to Cepeda's accusations or requests. De la Espriella, 47, was born in Bogota. During his time in Florida, he ran a law firm where he represented former paramilitary leaders accused of human rights abuses and businessmen charged with money laundering. One former paramilitary leader he defended was an informant for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. De la Espriella was endorsed by U.S. President Donald Trump.