President Abinader confirms attendance at Colombia’s inauguration ceremony

President Luis Abinader is among the world leaders confirmed to attend the inauguration of Colombia’s president-elect Abelardo de la Espriella on August 7 in the city of Cali, according to Mayor Alejandro Eder.

The ceremony will also be attended by King Felipe VI of Spain and the presidents of Argentina, Ecuador, Paraguay, Costa Rica, Panama, Chile and Honduras, while El Salvador and Guatemala will send their vice presidents. Curaçao’s Prime Minister Gilmar Pisa and Brazil’s Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira are also expected.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar will attend as Colombia’s incoming administration prepares to restore diplomatic relations with Israel, which were severed in 2024 under the government of Gustavo Petro.

The event will mark the first time in Colombia’s recent history that a presidential inauguration is held outside Bogotá. President-elect De la Espriella chose Cali as part of his pledge to promote decentralization, describing the ceremony at Santiago de Cali University’s Arena USC as an austere event reflecting that commitment.