Colombian President Petro Survives Assassination Plot Attempt

Colombian President Gustavo Petro Reports New Assassination Attempt

President Gustavo Petro stated that he narrowly escaped an assassination attempt while traveling by helicopter with his daughters. The incident occurred on Tuesday, when Petro’s helicopter was unable to land at a destination due to concerns about potential threats.

According to reports, Petro informed Radio Nacional de Colombia that the helicopter was unable to land because “there were going to shoot” at the location where he intended to arrive. He also stated that his daughters were present during the incident and that the helicopter had to change its route and landing point due to security concerns.

Petro’s office confirmed that the president’s aircraft, with the support of the Colombian navy, reached a different landing point and made changes to his security plans and travel routes as a result. The president has been in a state of alert since October last year, according to Petro, who previously reported another alleged attempt on his life.

The incident comes amid a surge in violence in Colombia, including the kidnapping of Senator Aida Quilcue on Tuesday. Quilcue, an Indigenous activist and human rights worker, was taken from her home department of Cauca by unknown individuals. The Colombian military later confirmed that the senator and her bodyguards had been freed and were safe.

Petro has warned about threats to his safety since assuming office in August 2022, claiming that a drug-trafficking cartel has targeted him as a target. The reported assassination plot is part of a larger context of violence in Colombia ahead of presidential elections on March 8.

Source: Al Jazeera