Despite Them Flourishing Under His Administration, Colombian President Gustavo Petro Insists Narcotraffickers Want to Shoot Him With Anti-Aircraft Missiles

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has reported an alleged plot by drug traffickers to assassinate him by targeting the presidential aircraft with missiles. This announcement was made during the inauguration of General Carlos Fernando Triana as the new director of the National Police.

President Petro stated that the drug traffickers have acquired two missiles with the intent to “bring down” the presidential plane. He attributed this threat to his administration’s intensified actions against narcotics organizations involved in cocaine production and trafficking. However, he did not provide specific evidence or identify the groups responsible for the alleged plot.

The wild claim came during the appointment ceremony of new National Police head, Brigadier General Carlos Fernando Triana.

Petro insists his administration is taking action against narcotraffickers, though cocaine production is at an all time high under his administration, and armed rebel groups such as the ELN and dissidents of the former FARC who rejected the 2016 peace accords are regrouping and reinvigorated under Petro’s administration. Petro, an ex rebel himself, ran on a platform of “Total Peace,” promising to negotiate with these groups, but instead, they have stepped up attacks, leading to a humanitarian crisis in the northeast region of Catatumbo, and this week, an armed curfew in the Pacific department of Chocó was imposed by communist rebel group ELN, where guerillas have forced all businesses to shut down, demonstrating the dominance of the guerillas over the impotent presence of the national government in the region.

Colombia remains the world’s leading producer of cocaine, with various guerrilla groups, criminal bands, and both national and international cartels engaged in the drug trade. This illicit industry has fueled a six-decade-long internal conflict, resulting in over 450,000 deaths and millions of displaced individuals. In 2024, Colombian security forces seized a record 883.8 metric tons of cocaine, surpassing the previous year’s figure of 746.3 tons. The United Nations reported that coca cultivation covered 253,000 hectares in the country during the same period.

This is not the first time President Petro has reported threats against his life. Since his election in 2022, he has mentioned multiple assassination plots, including a supposed plan involving explosives at a public event, as informed by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Additionally, he has accused groups such as the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) of attempting to kill him. These allegations have been met with skepticism by opposition figures, who describe them as incendiary, lacking in evidence, and perhaps an attempt to one-up the attack on the presidential helicopter during the term of previous President Ivan Duque, by small arms fire from a criminal group in Cúcuta, the nearest city to the troubled Catatumbo region,

The recent claim adds to a series of challenges faced by President Petro’s administration, including internal disputes and controversies involving close associates. These issues have exposed fractures within the government, raising concerns about its stability and effectiveness, negatively affecting foreign direct investment (FDI).

The appointment of General Triana

Petro’s comments overshadowed the theme of the gathering, the appointment of Brigadier General Carlos Fernando Triana as the new director of Colombia’s National Police, succeeding General William René Salamanca. The transition occurred amid ongoing security challenges in the country, including a notable increase in homicides, particularly in Bogotá.

General Triana has over 30 years of experience within the National Police, having held various administrative and strategic positions. Notably, he served as the director of the Retirement Pay Fund (Caja de Sueldos de Retiro) and has been recognized for his commitment to institutional integrity and public service.

The change in leadership aligns with a series of adjustments within the upper echelons of the government, as directed by President Petro. General Salamanca, who had returned from retirement to assume directorship in April 2023, departs amidst these strategic shifts.

During the ceremony, President Petro highlighted the critical role of the National Police in addressing the nation’s security issues, and emphasized the importance of leadership in implementing effective strategies to combat crime and ensure public safety.

General Triana’s appointment comes at a time when the National Police are intensifying efforts to tackle various security concerns, including operations targeting extortion schemes orchestrated from within the prison system. In December 2024, a significant operation led to the arrest of eight individuals, among them six guards from the National Penitentiary and Prison Institute (INPEC), underscoring the ongoing challenges within Colombia’s correctional facilities.

As General Triana assumes his new role, the focus remains on enhancing the effectiveness of the National Police in safeguarding citizens and upholding the rule of law across Colombia.

Headline photo: Presidency of The Republic