Upon his arrival, Santos and his family greeted thirty members of Congress who were waiting for him in the gallery.

The band of the José María Córdoba Military Cadet School performed honors, officially starting the ceremony.

Santos received the oath and the presidential sash from the president of the Senate, José David Name.

20 salutes were fired by the forces of the Presidential Guard, from the Bridge of Boyacá, to greet the president, after which Santos administered the vice presidential oath to Germán Vargas Lleras as vice president of Colombia.

A minute of silence was held in honor of the soldiers who fell in combat and immediately afterwards the president and his family walked to the Casa de Nariño escorted by nine Navy Pipers.