{ "story_id": "159c11e090098f22796741757c4523ed", "desk": "drm3", "revision": 1, "published_at": "2026-09-03T00:13:45.000Z", "content_hash": "08790f4507c28d66db7deafc93451f21e2459c4eafbddfc0510c2648d0d81711", "hash_basis": "sha256 over `headline\\ndek\\nprose`, plus `\\n` + the canonical citations JSON when any source is placed, plus `\\n#blog` for blogs", "basis": { "headline": "Colombian President Apologizes for Religious Neutrality Breach, Ends with 'Long Live Christ the King'", "dek": "Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella apologized for violating state secularism but ended his statement with a religious slogan.", "prose": "Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella issued a public apology on August 7, 2026, for violating the constitutional principle of state secularism during his inauguration speech. [^1]\n\nPresident Abelardo de la Espriella concluded his apology message with the phrase 'Long Live Christ the King' (¡Viva Cristo Rey!). [^2]\n\nJoe Schmid announced on his YouTube channel on August 21, 2026, that he has converted to Catholicism. [^3]\n\nAbelardo de la Espriella promised to guarantee the religious freedoms and rights of all Colombians, including the freedom to profess any religion or none. [^4]\n\nThe President stated that he identifies as a Catholic believer but affirmed his respect for the separation between the Church and the State. [^5]\n\nJoe Schmid ran a highly popular YouTube channel focused on philosophy from an agnostic perspective for several years prior to this announcement. [^6]\n\nSchmid stated that a 'gift of God's grace' led him to return to the Catholic faith. [^7]\n\nAccording to official figures, 79% of the Colombian population identifies as Catholic, followed by Protestants, Evangelicals, and Christians at 10.1%. [^8]\n\nPresident Abelardo De La Espriella sparked controversy by exclaiming 'Viva Cristo Rey' after apologizing for the lack of inclusion of certain religious cults during his inauguration. [^9]\n\nThe blogger urges Colombians to focus on critical national issues such as earthquake reconstruction, fiscal deficits, and the threat of power outages rather than religious or cultural debates. [^10]\n\nThe author states that between 7.5% and 7.8% of the population has no religion, while atheists and agnostics make up between 0.6% and 1%. 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Últimas Noticias de Colombia y el Mundo\",\"instrument\":\"News\",\"claim_key\":null,\"published_at\":\"2026-09-01T11:45:00.000Z\",\"publisher_count\":1,\"sources\":[\"Semana - Últimas Noticias de Colombia y el Mundo\"]},{\"statement\":\"President Abelardo De La Espriella sparked controversy by exclaiming 'Viva Cristo Rey' after apologizing for the lack of inclusion of certain religious cults during his inauguration.\",\"source\":\"Semana - Últimas Noticias de Colombia y el Mundo\",\"instrument\":\"News\",\"claim_key\":null,\"published_at\":\"2026-09-01T11:45:00.000Z\",\"publisher_count\":1,\"sources\":[\"Semana - Últimas Noticias de Colombia y el Mundo\"]},{\"statement\":\"The blogger urges Colombians to focus on critical national issues such as earthquake reconstruction, fiscal deficits, and the threat of power outages rather than religious or cultural debates.\",\"source\":\"Semana - Últimas Noticias de Colombia y el Mundo\",\"instrument\":\"News\",\"claim_key\":null,\"published_at\":\"2026-09-01T11:45:00.000Z\",\"publisher_count\":1,\"sources\":[\"Semana - 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