Colombian president ordered to apologise for breaching religious neutrality

Bogota, Colombia recently saw the inauguration of President Abelardo de la Espriella, who is known for his political outsider status. De la Espriella, who identified as an atheist before his presidential run, began professing strong Judeo-Christian principles during his election campaign. The inauguration ceremony included religious elements such as hymns, prayers, praise of Israel, and an altar to the Virgin of Fatima, which is revered by Catholics.

This caused controversy as Colombia's constitution is secular, and a Bogota court ruled that De la Espriella had violated the religious neutrality of the state during the ceremony. As a result, the judge ordered the president to apologize for this breach and issue a directive to ensure respect for religious neutrality in all public events by September 30, according to the document provided to AFP.

De la Espriella has been open about his religious beliefs and his cabinet includes several evangelical Christian figures. He has called for a "cultural counterrevolution" to return Colombia to God, and his administration has already passed a decree allowing churches to shape public education. The political opposition has criticized his government for engaging in culture wars and warning that it may roll back rights for LGBTQ people and promote traditional family roles for women and men.