Senators Ask Trump to Send Delegation to Colombian President-Elect’s Inauguration

Sens. Tom Cotton of Arkansas and Bernie Moreno of Ohio asked President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to send a U.S. delegation to Colombian president-elect Abelardo de la Espriella’s inauguration, New York Post reported.

The letter requested the delegation to demonstrate solidarity and provide transition support ahead of the Aug. 7 ceremony. Espriella defeated Iván Cepeda by more than 250,000 votes in the June 21 runoff and is scheduled to take office after Cepeda conceded on June 24.

Outgoing President Gustavo Petro has charged that the United States and Israel compromised the election. Cotton and Moreno wrote that Petro’s claims of fraud are nonsense and that observers found the vote transparent and compliant with Colombian law.

They added that Petro seeks to install his preferred successor through interference allegations and that his actions risk Colombia’s democratic transition and ties with the United States.

The senators noted that a strong elected government supports regional efforts against illegal immigration and narcoterrorism. Espriella has suspended the transition process and accused Petro of plotting a coup. In a video posted last week, he urged Colombia’s armed forces to protect the Constitution and democracy and to disregard contrary orders from Petro while calling on other nations to monitor the handover.

Trump, Rubio and members of the State Department’s Shield of the Americas have congratulated Espriella on his victory. A State Department spokesperson told the New York Post on Tuesday that the Trump administration looks forward to working with the incoming government on security cooperation, immigration and economic ties. Cepeda has stated that Espriella must renounce U.S.