Colombian police are investigating a tip-off from an anonymous caller that “a group of unknown people” plan to assassinate Green Party presidential candidate Antanas Mockus, reports La F.M.
The Prosecutor General’s Office in Bogota reportedly received the anonymous tip on April 26, according to a document obtained by La F.M.
The document says that the caller suggested “the surge in popularity that the candidate has achieved recently that could lead him to be the president of Colombians without moving to a second round [of voting],” as a motive for the assassination plot.
“These people, who declare themselves as enemies of the candidate, dislike [Mockus] because of his lack of will and knowledge of the country’s security issues, and his government would leave Colombians at the mercy of terrorist groups like the FARC; and they are not prepared to let that happen,” the caller allegedly elaborated.
A police report obtained by La F.M. concludes that “the caller made it clear that measures should be taken to prevent this plot, which is already in place or is being developed.”
Eight days after the anonymous call was made, authorities have not yet uncovered any more information on the alleged plot.
Colombian Defense Minister Gabriel Silva said Tuesday that he had met with intelligence heads and had concluded that there is no plot to assassinate Mockus, because there was no concrete or reliable information to suggest such a plan exists.
The defense minister said that such reports are sometimes used to misinform authorities.
Silva added that authorities remain attentive to the security of all presidential candidates and “we speak to them almost daily to give them peace of mind.”
According to La F.M., Mockus’ campaign team is aware of the matter, and police commissioner Oscar Naranjo met with the presidential candidate and members of the Green Party to discuss the dangers of campaigning in the lead-up to the May 30 elections.
Mockus was reportedly informed of the plot on April 30, while campaigning in Buenaventura, in the Valle del Cauca department.
Mockus’ surging popularity in the last few weeks has surprised analysts and political opponents, who so far have seemed unable to stop the “green wave,” despite attacks on Mockus’ proposed security policies.
The former Bogota mayor has maintained the lead in all major voter opinion polls for several weeks.
