Colombia: Plot to assassinate President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella revealed

The security team of Colombian President-elect, Abelardo de la Espriella, announced the detection of precise intelligence information indicating the existence of a 'criminal plot' aimed at his physical elimination. These threats come amidst the sensitive transitional phase preceding his official inauguration ceremonies scheduled for August 7th, which has triggered a state of security alert in the country.

The statement issued by the security team clarified that the plot aimed to launch attacks during the power transfer meetings or during the regional tours currently being conducted by the President-elect. Intelligence reports indicated the detection of a huge financial offer, amounting to approximately one million US dollars, allocated to the party that would carry out the assassination, which reflects the seriousness and danger of the existing threat.

Security authorities directly pointed fingers at elements of the 'National Liberation Army' and dissident groups from the 'Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia' known as (FARC). The statement warned of the possibility of these groups resorting to infiltration tactics at press conferences and public events, exploiting the presence of civilians and children as human shields to carry out their treacherous attacks.

Despite these stringent security warnings, de la Espriella affirmed that he would not back down from his announced agenda or cancel his scheduled public meetings. His team stressed that the Colombian state would not succumb to the policy of intimidation, while simultaneously announcing the strengthening of preventive measures and intensifying security around the President and all participants in his political activities.

The President-elect's team demanded that judicial and competent authorities launch an immediate and urgent investigation to ascertain the sources of these threats and verify the accuracy of the incoming intelligence information. This move aims to thwart any attempt to destabilize political stability or target civilians participating in public events organized by the President-elect in various regions.

Observers believe that this plot comes as a reaction to the hardline political stances adopted by de la Espriella towards irregular armed groups in Colombia. He explicitly announced his intention to end all dialogue paths initiated by the previous administration, preferring to adopt an iron fist policy to end the armed conflicts that have been ongoing for decades.

De la Espriella, a Washington-backed lawyer, is a new face on the Colombian political scene, having never held any public office before his controversial victory in the runoff. His narrow victory sparked a wave of violent protests, especially with his electoral promises which included building massive prisons and reducing the state's administrative apparatus by up to 40%.

Colombia is experiencing a state of increasing security concern, especially after the assassination of presidential candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay last year during an election rally. These new threats bring back memories of the country's long history of political violence, at a time when the Colombian right seeks to consolidate its power with the support of international allies, most notably the United States and Israel.

Colombia cannot surrender to threats, and the work program or scheduled meetings will not be suspended despite the security risks.