Debate over Secularism Rises Following Religious Retreat by President Elect De la Espriella

A spiritual retreat involving President elect Abelardo de la Espriella and his future ministers has sparked a debate regarding the status of Colombia as a secular state. The event has raised questions about whether a president and their ministers can pray at government events, entrust the country to a virgin, or introduce God into schools. Legal experts note that while the word secular does not appear in the Colombian Constitution, Article 19 guarantees religious freedom and equality among all faiths. This legal framework implies that the state must remain neutral to ensure equal treatment for all religions. Experts clarify that public officials are not required to renounce their personal beliefs; however, they are prohibited from using their positions to privilege a specific faith or persecute others. A precedent was set during the presidency of Ivan Duque, when a court warned him to be cautious with religious expressions on social media to maintain the neutrality of his office. De la Espriella, who previously identified as an atheist, has recently presented himself as a convert, while associates have used religious concepts such as the Noahs Ark to describe their political project.