Colombian President Gustavo Petro has claimed that drug traffickers are planning to assassinate him by launching a missile at his plane. He also alleged that the traffickers have already acquired two missiles to execute their plan. British news agency Reuters reported this information on Wednesday, February 19.
President Petro stated that drug traffickers have obtained two missiles, which they plan to use to target his aircraft. He believes this assassination attempt is a reaction to the government’s successful efforts in combating drug trafficking.
“You know, they want to fire a missile at my plane. The drug traffickers have purchased and stored the missile. Not just one, but two missiles,” he said.
However, President Petro did not present any evidence to support his claim. Without mentioning any specific group, he added, “We know who they are. But we must continue our work.”
According to Colombia’s Ministry of Defense, the country’s security forces seized a record 883.8 metric tons of cocaine in 2024, compared to 746.3 metric tons in 2023.
Illegal gold production, along with cocaine trafficking, has been a major driver of Colombia’s six-decade-long armed conflict. The prolonged violence in the country has resulted in the deaths of over 450,000 people.