Colombian President Petro Reports Narrow Escape from Assassination Attempt
Colombian President Gustavo Petro has publicly stated that he narrowly avoided an assassination attempt while traveling by helicopter with his daughters earlier this week. The incident occurred on Monday local time, forcing an emergency diversion of his flight due to credible threats that unspecified individuals intended to shoot down the aircraft.
Helicopter Flight Diverted Amid Security Threats
In a video message released on Tuesday, President Petro revealed that his scheduled landing at a destination on Colombia's Caribbean coast was abruptly canceled. "Last night, I couldn't land because I was informed that they were going to shoot at the helicopter I was traveling with my daughters," Petro explained during a Council of Ministers meeting in the Cordoba Department. He added that authorities "didn't even turn on the lights where I was supposed to land," indicating the seriousness of the security situation.
The Colombian leader described how his helicopter was forced to divert toward open waters for nearly four hours before eventually landing at an alternate location. Multiple last-minute adjustments were made to both his itinerary and flight path to ensure safety. "I'm trying to escape being killed," Petro stated bluntly. "That's why I couldn't arrive on time last night, because I couldn't land where I had said. This morning, I couldn't land where I was supposed to either, because there was information that the helicopter was going to be shot at."
Escalating Violence Ahead of Presidential Elections
This alleged assassination attempt comes at a particularly volatile time for Colombia, which is experiencing a significant surge in violence ahead of presidential elections scheduled for May 31. The country continues to grapple with a years-long conflict involving guerrilla groups and various armed factions that has created an environment of persistent political instability.
President Petro has been vocal about threats to his safety for months, previously claiming that drug traffickers have been plotting against him since he assumed office in August 2022. According to reports from AFP, authorities suspect the latest assassination plot may involve powerful drug traffickers and armed faction leaders, including Iván Mordisco, who leads the largest group of former FARC rebels that rejected the 2016 peace accord.
History of Political Violence in Colombia
Colombia has a long and tragic history of political violence, with numerous left-wing figures and presidential candidates having been targeted over the years. The public broadcaster Radio Nacional de Colombia reported that President Petro confirmed such security incidents keep him in a state of permanent alert. The head of state also linked these recent events to other concerning developments that he claims have been occurring since October 2025.
This is not the first time President Petro has reported assassination attempts. In 2024, he previously claimed to have survived another plot against his life. The current security crisis is further highlighted by the tragic shooting of presidential election candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay in June 2025. The 39-year-old Colombian Senator was attacked at a rally by a 15-year-old assailant, sustaining three bullet wounds that ultimately proved fatal after multiple surgeries.
Humanitarian Context and Regional Challenges
The Council of Ministers meeting where Petro made his revelations took place in the Cordoba Department, a northern region currently facing a humanitarian emergency due to torrential rains and severe flooding. Despite these natural disasters requiring government attention, security concerns continue to dominate the political landscape.
President Petro emphasized that he was forced to change his plans drastically due to the immediate threats to his personal safety. The public broadcaster reported that the head of state remains in a heightened state of alert as Colombia navigates this period of increased political tension and violence leading up to crucial national elections.
