Colombia’s outgoing defence minister Pedro Sanchez has warned of an increased risk of terrorism ahead of the inauguration of President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella.
Sanchez told La FM radio station on Wednesday that authorities are tracking a “threat” against Friday’s proceedings. “Most likely, these criminals would attempt to disrupt this democratic event with acts of terrorism,” he said.
The presidential handover ceremony is scheduled to take place in Cali, a city in Colombia’s southwest that has recently suffered from a series of militia attacks.
The 48-year-old incoming leader, Espriella, who narrowly won the presidential run-off in June, had requested Congress to relocate the event from the capital, Bogota, to the country’s third-largest city. This move went ahead despite Cali’s proximity to areas controlled by rebel groups.
Several foreign dignitaries are expected to attend the ceremony, including Spain’s King Felipe VI and the presidents of Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Ecuador, reports Al Jazeera.
To secure the inauguration, Colombia’s military is deploying approximately 11,000 troops and has declared a no-fly zone for drones over Cali and its surrounding areas.
This measure comes after rebel fighters previously used drones to drop explosives.
In the neighbouring department of Cauca, near Cali, a dissident faction of FARC armed group operates under the command of Ivan Mordisco, the alias of Colombia’s most wanted rebel leader.
The hard-right Espriella campaigned on a platform to dismantle Petro’s “Total Peace” negotiation strategy with armed groups.
Meanwhile, Petro has disputed the election results and announced that he will not attend Friday’s ceremony.
