Sofía Petro questioned Abelardo de la Espriella's position: "Those who truly have God in their hearts cannot defend the mass killing of children."

Abelardo de la Espriella assumed the presidency of Colombia on August 7, 2026, during a ceremony held at the Arena USC auditorium in Cali, Valle del Cauca. This event marked a departure from tradition as the first presidential inauguration to take place outside of Bogotá. The ceremony included the participation of religious leaders, specifically a rabbi, a pastor, and a priest.

The event drew public criticism from Sofía Petro, who challenged the moral consistency of the new administration. Petro specifically questioned the presence of religious figures during the inauguration in light of de la Espriella’s political stances, stating that those who claim to have God in their hearts cannot defend the mass harm of children. Constitutional experts have since addressed the event to clarify whether the inclusion of religious leaders violated the principles of a secular state.