Petro was at risk from a possible attack, says Defense Minister

BogotaColombian President Gustavo Petro was at risk of a possible assassination attempt on July 20, the day he participated in a public event, Defense Minister Iván Velásquez revealed on Thursday, without providing evidence.

The official declined to give further details about the alleged threat when questioned by journalists. “There was information about that… about an attack, the details of which I will not mention.”

Petro participated on July 20 in a traditional military parade commemorating the 214th anniversary of independence from Spain, after arriving several hours late to the event held in the streets of downtown Bogotá.

After receiving complaints of tardiness from various sectors, the president explained that he arrived late “due to information to be corroborated from the United States embassy and a lack of coordination with my escort service.”

Petro, the first leftist president in the country’s history, has received threats through social media since taking office in 2022, as he himself has reported to the prosecutor’s office. He also received threats during the 2022 election campaign, so in his speeches in public squares he was guarded by a group of bodyguards with shields and with soldiers who watched over the surrounding buildings.

The Minister of Defense said that this is not the first time that they have received information about possible attacks on the president, which is why there is intelligence activity that constantly “seeks to protect the president’s integrity.”