Lawyer and political newcomer Abelardo de la Espriella has been sworn in as Colombia's president in a ceremony in Cali.
The inauguration broke with more than a century of tradition by taking place outside the capital, Bogotá. De la Espriella succeeds left-wing President Gustavo Petro after a term marked by political division and economic challenges.
Instead of the historic Plaza de Bolívar in Bogotá, the ceremony was held at the Arena USC at the Universidad Santiago de Cali.
The location followed weeks of disagreement between the incoming and outgoing administrations.
De la Espriella had initially proposed taking the oath at a military base in the neighbouring department of Cauca, one of Colombia's most conflict-affected regions. He said the move would honour the country's armed forces.
Petro opposed the idea, arguing that a military base should not host a political inauguration while he remained commander-in-chief.
Congress later approved moving the ceremony to Cali. De la Espriella said the choice reflected his focus on decentralising government and improving regional security.
The new president's first official act was scheduled at the Marco Fidel Suárez Air Force Base in Cali.
The move was presented as a gesture towards the military, following his decision to hold the inauguration in the city.
The ceremony drew a strong international presence, particularly from conservative leaders across the Americas and Europe.
Among those attending were Spain's King Felipe VI, Argentine President Javier Milei, Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa and Paraguayan President Santiago Peña.
Also present were Costa Rica's president-elect Laura Fernández, Panama's President José Raúl Mulino, Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader and U.S. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, who led a senior American security and diplomatic delegation.
The outgoing president Gustavo Petro did not attend the inauguration, breaking with established precedent.
Members of his Pacto Histórico coalition also boycotted the ceremony. Demonstrations were held in several cities, including Cali.
De la Espriella's inauguration marks a significant ideological shift for Colombia as the new government takes office after four years of left-wing rule.
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