The Colombian government announced on Wednesday that it had stepped up security measures to protect the right-wing candidate in the May 29 presidential election, Federico Gutierrez, following threats his team received a few days before voters were called to the polls.
Mr Gutierrez’s campaign team, which is in second place in the polls behind center-left Senator Gustavo Petro, the frontrunner for the show, said it had received a threatening letter from the Águilas Negras (Black Eagles). , an extreme right-wing paramilitary organization linked to drug trafficking.
“The government, in coordination with the armed forces and the police, has given clear instructions to enhance the security of the candidate” for the presidency, Interior Minister Daniel Palacios explained yesterday.
“There is evidence in the Black Eagles’ threatening letter that raises” concerns in both the campaign and the intelligence services, “the minister added, speaking after a meeting with members of Mr Gutierrez’s team and police officers.
In the text, the far-right group warns all those who go to the headquarters of Mr. Gutierrez’s campaign that they will be considered “military targets” and threatens to “roll” the “heads” of the candidate and the leaders of the right-wing coalition that supports him.
Threats on behalf of the “Black Eagles”, usually addressed to left-wing figures and social leaders, especially in the countryside, are common in Colombia. However, it is very certain that their authenticity will be verified with a high degree of certainty.
According to Minister Palacios, Gutierrez also received threats from the Clan del Golfo, the most powerful drug-trafficking gang in Colombia, whose former leader, Otoniel, was recently extradited to the United States.
Authorities opposed the protest with all available police forces, special services and the army. ”
Since then, the candidate appears in public wearing a bulletproof vest and surrounded by bodyguards equipped with bulletproof shields, among other things.
Mr Gutierrez also accused his opponent of espionage after his campaign announced that he had located a microphone hidden in a lamp in her office in Medellin (northwest), the second largest city in Latin America.
Mr. Petros faced the complaint with irony, commenting that Mr. Gutierrez confused “the lamp” with a microphone.
However, the police announced that they have started an investigation.
According to opinion polls, Mr. Petros will win the first round on May 29, but not by a percentage that will allow him to avoid a second round against Mr. Gutierrez on June 19.
SOURCE: AMPE
Source: Capital
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