Colombian authorities say that that U.S. intelligence agency the FBI is investigating death threats posted on a Facebook group against presidential candidate Antanas Mockus, and have identified the IP address of the group’s creators.
General Cesar Augusto Pinzon said that investigators are analyzing the data so that those responsible can be processed for cyber terrorism. Pinzon added that increased security measures for all presidential candidates will remain in place.
Colombian police chief Oscar Naranjo said that Colombian authorities have contacted the owners of Facebook in the U.S., to request technical information on when and where the group was created.
Naranjo said Tuesday that Colombian police had identified twelve people connected to the Facebook group.
The group, “I promise to kill Antanas Mockus before the 30th of May,” was created in the first week of May and since been removed from Facebook.
“This is psychological pressure, if one runs for president one has to be prepared for this type of unpleasant situation, but it shouldn’t affect one’s work at all,” Mockus commented of the group.
This is not the first time Mockus has received death threats. On April 26 police received an anonymous tip-off about a plot to assassinate the Green Party candidate.
Colombia’s presidential elections are scheduled for May 30.