He elected president Abelardo De La Espriella spoke on the morning of this July 21 about the election of Honorio Henríquez, congressman from the Democratic Center, as the new president of the Senate. Henríquez defeated Alfredo Deluque, from the ‘la U’ party, who had the wink of the future government.
READ ALSO
Finally, after obtaining the support of the Historical Pact, Henríquez won the election with 56 votes against the 45 obtained by Deluque on the night of this July 20.
In a video shared through his social networks, the president-elect assured that fully respects the autonomy of the Congress of the Republic and pointed out that, for this reason, he did not call any congressman to ask for votes or offer positions, contracts or perks to elect Deluque.
READ ALSO
“It has been more than 30 years since the Senate board of directors was elected through a free voting, without bureaucratic distributions. That strengthens our democracy,” said De La Espriella.
The future president, who will assume power after a ceremony that will take place on August 7, noted that At first he wanted it to be Senator Enrique Gómez who imposed the presidential sash on him as head of the Legislature. However, he indicated that gave up this idea due to the principle of institutional balance and because Gómez’s brother, Miguel Gómez Martínez, will be the Minister of Finance of his Executive; and that his son, Nicolás Gómez, will be the chief of staff of the Presidency of the Republic.
At first he wanted it to be Senator Enrique Gómez. Photo:Enrique Gómez Press
“I myself withdrew his name (Enrique Gómez), I was never obsessed with the presidency of the Senate. That’s the truth. My interest was never to control that election, but to act with absolute respect for the institutions and the separation of powers,” he emphasized.
READ ALSO
De La Espriella said that it was then that the name of Senator Alfredo Deluque came up, of whom he highlighted that he was at his side “from the beginning of the presidential campaign.” According to the elected president, It was Deluque himself who expressed his interest in running for the presidency of the upper houseso he said that he invited the congressman to obtain the necessary support and offered his support.
“I told President Álvaro Uribe the same thing when we talked about the issue. I told him: ‘President, we are in democracy, let each candidate seek their votes and let the delegates go see if they reach an agreement and in the end let it be Congress, in exercise of its independence, that makes the decision,'” he narrated.
Alfredo Deluque Photo:Alfredo Deluque
In his statement, De La Espriella pointed out that this was exactly what happened on July 20, an election without pressures, perks or benefits, and reiterated that in his government there will be no improper negotiations or purchase of support.
He also indicated that far from worrying about the result and the way in which the vote took place in the Senate, it is a situation that fills him with joy “because it is the demonstration that there is a true independence between the Legislative power and the Executive” which, in turn, strengthens democracy and institutions.
READ ALSO
“In more than 30 years There had not been an election of the Senate board of directors truly defined by a clean vote, without agreements imposed by the national government or bureaucratic distributions. Far from worrying me, this situation fills me with optimism,” he highlighted.
“I did not call any congressman to ask for votes, offer positions, contracts or perks (…) I am sure that, since the independence of each corporation, we will find meeting points”: Abelardo De La Espriella spoke about the election of the presidents of the Senate and…
— EL TIEMPO (@ELTIEMPO) July 21, 2026
Abelardo De La Espriella congratulated Honorio Henríquez on his election to the Senate
The future leader of Colombians He also took advantage of his statement to congratulate Honorio Henríquez after his election as president of the senate and reiterated that he has no veto or animosity towards him, as he recalled that he has known him for more than 30 years. He indicated, in fact, that he would soon contact him to congratulate him and wished him “the greatest success in his management.”
READ ALSO
De La Espriella also referred to the Democratic Center, after some discussions with former President Uribe over the crucial election, and stated that he hopes that, as a governing party, “they will support all initiatives that benefit Colombia, that improve the lives of our people, that strengthen institutions and that defend freedom.”
“I trust that they will act responsibly and always thinking about the best interest of the country,” he reiterated.
Honorio Henriquez Photo:Senate of the Republic
Finally, the president-elect sent a message to Colombians by indicating that he wants the country to get used to a new way of doing politics and a government that respects institutions and does not buy support. He also reiterated that he is not a traditional politician and that he will dedicate himself to great politics, which he assured is “serving Colombia.”
“I am sure that, since the independence of each corporation, We will find meeting points to promote the initiatives that Colombia needs and make the Patria Milagro a reality,” he concluded.
Senate President spoke after July 20 vote. Photo:
LATEST NEWS EDITORIAL
