Petro leaves presidential palace as De la Espriella takes office
Outgoing Colombian President Gustavo Petro left the Casa de Nariño on Friday, ending four years in office as his successor, Abelardo De la Espriella, was sworn in as president in Cali.
Footage showed Petro leaving the presidential palace accompanied by his daughter Antonella and members of his team after receiving honours from the Presidential Guard Battalion and bidding farewell to officials and supporters.
Petro thanked the security forces responsible for his protection, defended his record and said he had never sought to remain in power beyond his constitutional term.
"Thank you for accompanying me, soldiers, for looking after me. I believe you leave better than when I entered. So, long live free Colombia!" he said.
Petro became Colombia's first democratically elected left-wing president in 2022.
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
Venezuela asks King Charles to release gold for earthquake recovery
His departure coincided with De la Espriella's inauguration at the USC Arena of the Universidad Santiago de Cali, marking the first presidential inauguration held outside Bogotá in decades.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
