Colombian Green Party presidential candidate Antanas Mockus responds to allegations of a FARC-ETA plot to assassinate him with the words “Señores, move on with your lives.”
“Señores of ETA, Señores of the FARC, I will continue to insist that you move on with your lives, God willing as freely as possible, as long as you completely abandon terrorist temptations; and the other thing is, allow people to choose democratically, within the law, to do things for society,” Mockus said.
“You destroy, while I, in the face of your destruction, construct,” said the candidate.
The Green politician said he was concerned about the assassination plot allegations, but that he would not let it distract him from his objective, and he would take all necessary security precautions.
The Washington Post revealed allegations Thursday that the FARC had asked Spain’s ETA to assassinate Mockus in the European nation.
“It is a shame in some regards because usually public figures, Colombians, move about quite calmly with little concern, and having to be cautious in Madrid will have consequences … terrorism attempts to mess with your coconut [head], and that’s why we can’t be distracted, we must continue with our schedule… and I imagine that if I travel to Spain in the next few months, the Spanish police will look after me.”
Mockus has been the target of other assassination plots. The FBI are investigating death threats from a Facebook group titled “I promise to kill Antanas Mockus before the 30th of May.”
On April 26 police received an anonymous tip-off about a plot to assassinate the Green Party candidate. Security for all candidates has since been tightened.
Colombia’s presidential elections are scheduled for May 30.