Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro.Image: keystone
Just a few months before the presidential election in Colombia, incumbent Gustavo Petro spoke of renewed plans to attack him.
02/11/2026, 03:3802/11/2026, 03:38
There is unrest in Colombia a few months before the election. He will move in two days to avoid being killed, Petro said in a live-streamed meeting with ministers.
The president described specific incidents while traveling. He said he couldn’t land the helicopter “because I was afraid that people would shoot at the helicopter.” That’s why he had to fly for hours over the open sea. He also deposed a police general who, according to Petro, had “a strange mission” to “put psychoactive substances in his car.”
Petro had already reported repeatedly in the past about alleged attack plans against himself.
Indigenous senator temporarily disappeared
The head of state made the statements after the temporary, presumed disappearance of indigenous senator Aida Quilcué, who is politically close to him. The president spoke of a new phase of political uncertainty.
“That puts me in an alarm situation.”
According to those close to her, Quilcué was intercepted by unknown persons in the southwestern administrative district of Cauca. According to reports, the mayor of the municipality later confirmed that the senator had been found alive. The region is one of the most dangerous in the country, with a strong presence of illegal armed groups.
Overall, according to the Federal Foreign Office, the security situation in the South American country has deteriorated in recent years. Tourists are usually not the target of attacks, but there is a “risk of collateral damage.” The presidential election will take place at the end of May. (sda/dpa)