CALI, Colombia, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- Abelardo de la Espriella was sworn in as Colombia's new president on Friday in the southwestern city of Cali, officially beginning his four-year term in office.

Colombia's President Abelardo de la Espriella salutes after taking the oath of office in Cali, Colombia, Friday, Aug. 7, 2026. (Photo: AP)

It marked the first presidential inauguration in Colombia's modern history to be held outside the capital, Bogota.

The ceremony took place at the Arena USC of Santiago de Cali University. Spain's King Felipe VI, Argentine President Javier Milei, Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa, Chilean President Jose Antonio Kast, along with leaders and senior government officials from a number of countries and representatives of international organizations, attended the event.

On June 24, Colombia's National Electoral Council officially confirmed De la Espriella's victory following the final vote count. The independent candidate representing the far-right political movement Defenders of the Homeland won the presidential election by a narrow margin and will remain in office until August 2030.

The 48-year-old lawyer advocates a hardline approach to restoring public security and substantial cuts in public spending.