Days before stepping down, Colombia's outgoing President Gustavo Petro has reignited a political firestorm by repeating unsubstantiated claims that June's presidential election was rigged. His allegations, made during a Monday news conference in Bogota, directly challenge the legitimacy of President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella, who is set to be sworn in before Congress on Friday. The move comes as Petro, barred from seeking a second term, prepares to transition into the role of opposition leader. Main Developments Petro alleged that programmers altered thousands of tally sheets after they were transmitted to the national election agency, calling the election "obscure" and claiming manipulation by foreign powers. He also said metadata linked to vote tallies was never made available for review, framing the situation as a "profound institutional problem." Colombia's electoral authorities and international observers have categorically rejected these fraud claims. Election officials certified de la Espriella's victory in late June, declaring that he defeated Petro's ally Ivan Cepeda by 250,000 votes. The certification paved the way for the formal transfer of power. Read also: US-Iran Talks Set for Monday as Trump Signals Deal Imminent Petro doubled down on his stance, stating, "We are facing a profound institutional problem. And it's the inauguration of an illegitimate president." He has called for protests and urged rural areas to form "liberation guards," a suggestion that has alarmed analysts who fear it could escalate tensions in conflict-affected regions. Background Petro, a former rebel fighter who became Colombia's first socialist president in 2022, has a history of clashing with the political establishment. His final months in office were marked by escalating friction with US President Donald Trump, whose administration has courted Latin America's right and pressured left-wing governments. In October, Trump called Petro an "illegal drug leader" and announced an end to US payments to Colombia. Petro responded by labeling Trump "rude and ignorant about Colombia." Tensions spiked further in January when Trump, after US forces abducted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, was asked about a potential military operation against Colombia and replied, "Sounds good to me." Weeks later, US prosecutors launched a probe into potential links between Petro and drug traffickers during his 2022 campaign. Petro now says he fears being "extracted" from Colombia once he becomes an opposition leader, though he offered no evidence to support that concern. Why It Matters Petro's renewed allegations could weaken de la Espriella's standing with some voters and deepen Colombia's political polarisation, according to analysts. The outgoing president's call for "liberation guards" is particularly concerning, as Andres Macias, a political science professor at Externado University, warns it could "justify the use of weapons by civilians" in areas already torn by conflicts between the military, drug traffickers, and rebel groups. The dispute also underscores the fragility of democratic transitions in a region where electoral legitimacy is frequently contested. With Petro barred from a second term by the constitution, he has little institutional power to block the transition, but his rhetoric could fuel unrest among his supporters. What's Next De la Espriella is scheduled to be sworn in before Congress on Friday, a ceremony Petro has labeled as the inauguration of an illegitimate president. The outgoing leader has vowed to continue protesting the results, though his ability to influence the transition remains limited. The coming weeks will test whether Petro's fraud claims gain traction among the public or fade as the new administration takes office. Meanwhile, the US probe into Petro's alleged campaign ties and the broader US-Colombia tensions remain unresolved, adding further uncertainty to the political landscape.