An ex-Colombian senator called on indigenous groups Wednesday in Cauca to challenge the military and possibly initiate a coup against the president, reported local media.
Speaking passionately with Nasa tribe community leaders, Cordoba declared, “we will collect signatures to revoke the mandate of Congress and may even topple the president of the republic.” Her comments were met with enthusiastic applause from the audience.
Defense Minister Juan Carlos Pinzon regarded Cordoba’s comments as “outrageous”, Wednesday. “The government expects the prosecution to initiate an official investigation,” he added.
The southwestern department of Cauca has historically been a stronghold for FARC.
The region has seen a string of violent incidents involving the guerrilla group, state forces and the indigenous population who continue to protest the government and the FARC’s presence in the autonomous region. The recent surge in violence has forced thousands from their homes.
The government and indigenous leaders met Monday to discuss the ongoing violence in the region. The Association of Indigenous Councils of Northern Cauca issued a list of demands during the meeting, which included the removal of state security forces from territory belonging to the Nasa indigenous tribe.
Cordoba first gained notoriety as a left-wing public official by criticizing Uribe and his links to paramilitaries, labelling him a “paramilitary president” and urging neighboring Latin American countries to break diplomatic ties with his administration.