“I Narrowly Escaped an Assassination Attempt,” Claims Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has claimed that he narrowly survived an assassination attempt on Monday night, describing how his helicopter had to be rerouted over open waters to avoid a deadly attack.

Helicopter Forced to Stay Over Open Sea

Bogotá: Speaking at a live-broadcast cabinet meeting on Tuesday, President Petro detailed the harrowing escape. He said his helicopter was unable to land at its intended destination due to a credible threat of attack. “We spent four hours over the open sea, reaching a place we were not supposed to go, and I escaped death,” Petro told ministers, adding that gunmen had targeted his helicopter. He did not disclose which group or individuals were behind the attack.

Planned Strike on the Caribbean Coast

Petro revealed that the helicopter was scheduled to land on the Caribbean coast when authorities warned that the aircraft could be targeted. He recounted, “I don’t remember why we did it, but we continued flying over the open sea.” Colombian security officials have not yet released an official statement regarding the incident.

Context of Rising Violence Ahead of Elections

Petro’s claims come amid heightened violence in Colombia ahead of the presidential elections. The country, notorious for drug trafficking, has long witnessed clashes between guerrilla and armed groups. Petro, a former leader of an armed faction, has repeatedly warned that criminal networks have targeted him since he assumed office in August 2022. In the past, he has named warlords such as Iván Mordisco, a dissident commander who split from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) after the 2016 peace deal.

Tensions with Former U.S. President Trump

President Petro is also known for his outspoken criticism of former U.S. President Donald Trump. Relations between Washington and Bogotá have been tense in recent months, with Trump openly threatening action in Colombia. After months of sharp rhetoric, the leaders of both countries recently held a meeting to ease tensions.

Petro’s latest revelation underscores the persistent threats faced by Colombia’s leaders and highlights the complex security challenges in a country long plagued by armed conflict and political violence.