The Colombian Bishops’ Conference has called for the will of the people expressed in the June 21 presidential elections to be respected and accepted, emphasizing that respecting the election results is a condition and sign of peace for the nation. The elections saw Abelardo de la Espriella emerge as the winner.
In the final message of their 121st plenary assembly, the bishops highlighted the “robust and peaceful participation of the Colombian people” in the elections, describing it as a “clear sign of democratic maturity and of appreciation and respect for institutions.”
“We regard respect for and acceptance of the will of the Colombian people, as expressed in the election results, as conditions and signs of peace,” they stated in their message, published on July 9.
The bishops lamented that after the elections, confrontation and division continue to be fueled by violent words and attitudes. They called for a “culture of encounter” and urged government leaders to assume their constitutional responsibility to safeguard and foster unity, the pursuit of the common good in truth and justice, and a national project that includes everyone without disregarding what has been built and received as both a legacy and a task.
The bishops’ call comes amid political conflict sparked by President Gustavo Petro’s decision on July 6 to reject the runoff election results, citing cyber fraud and claiming that the true winner was his candidate, Iván Cepeda. On June 25, the National Electoral Council declared de la Espriella the winner of the presidential runoff election.
In response, de la Espriella suspended his team’s participation in the official transition process, which involves the handover of information between the outgoing government and the one set to take over the leadership of Colombia on August 7.
This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
