Colombian President Gustavo Petro revealed in a televised meeting on Tuesday that he narrowly escaped an assassination attempt while flying in a helicopter. He expressed his fears and disclosed that he would be changing residences shortly for safety concerns. Petro indicated that he has been receiving warnings for months about a potential attempt on his life orchestrated by drug traffickers.

During the meeting, Petro explained that he was unable to land safely due to the absence of lights at the heliport at his intended landing site. He shared that he opted to fly over the sea for four hours instead, fearing for both his own life and that of his children who were with him in the helicopter. This incident has heightened concerns about his security as Colombia heads towards presidential elections in three months, amidst rising violence from guerrilla groups and drug cartels.

The timing of this alleged assassination attempt raises significant questions about political stability in Colombia as well as the ongoing battle against drug-related violence. With the upcoming elections, politicians and candidates will likely face heightened scrutiny regarding their security measures and the promises they make to combat organized crime. Petro's revelation underscores the ongoing challenges faced by Colombian leaders in securing safety in a landscape fraught with violence and instability.