Amid heightened political tensions in Colombia, Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez Suárez announced on Friday that the government would be ramping up security measures for President Gustavo Petro due to “latent threats
” against him. The minister emphasized the significance of protecting the president, stating, “
The president of the Republic is also the head of state and supreme commander of the Armed Forces. This means that he is also a military target for threats.
”
To ensure President Petro’s safety, additional layers of security will be implemented beyond his standard protection detail. These measures include deploying new intelligence, surveillance, and response operations alongside special forces operatives during all presidential movements. The Colombian Aerospace Force will dispatch aircraft, while reinforced security rings will encircle the president at each juncture.
Minister Sánchez highlighted the strategic planning involved in safeguarding Petro during his travels across different regions. “
We coordinate security rings with very detailed planning so that we can neutralize any threat,
” he explained. The Presidential Guard Battalion, Urban Special Forces Battalion, and Anti-Terrorist Urban Special Forces group will collaborate closely with National Police and state intelligence units to fortify the president’s security.
“
There is always a latent threat wherever the president of the Republic is present. That’s why we have coordinated a comprehensive setup to ensure his peace of mind and seamless execution of his duties,
” added Minister Sánchez. He underscored continuous information exchange among all intelligence agencies to bolster protective efforts for President Petro.
While some security specifics remain classified, Minister Sánchez assured that “
at this moment, we can say that the president’s safety is guaranteed.” The country faced a critical juncture on June 7th when right-wing senator and presidential pre-candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay survived an assassination attempt, leaving him hospitalized and fighting for his life at Bogotá’s Santa Fe Foundation.
In times of escalating political volatility, securing high-profile figures like President Gustavo Petro becomes paramount to preserving stability within Colombia’s governance structure.
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