Right-Wing Candidates Report Death Threats in Colombia

Written on 04/13/2026
Josep Freixes
Right-wing presidential candidates in Colombia report receiving death threats, and the government announces it will step up security. Credit: @PalomaValenciaL / X.com.

Death threats against political leaders have once again moved to the center of Colombia’s presidential campaign. Senator Paloma Valencia and attorney Abelardo De la Espriella reported this weekend that they had received intimidating messages that put their safety at risk and rekindle fears about violence in the electoral process.

Both candidates, identified with right-wing sectors, made the threats public through their official channels and asked the State for guarantees. Their complaints prompted immediate reactions from the government, which announced additional protection measures for all candidates in an attempt to contain the escalation of tensions and prevent the incidents from leading to concrete attacks.

It so happens that the threatening image targeting candidate Valencia is the same one that circulated some time ago, on that occasion to threaten the other right-wing candidate, Abelardo De la Espriella.

Right-Wing candidates report death threats in Colombia

The alerts emerged between Saturday and Sunday, when Paloma Valencia said she had been targeted by messages warning that her life would be attacked if she continued her political activity. The senator, a presidential candidate for uribismo, noted that this type of intimidation seeks not only to silence her but also to send a message to those who share her ideological stance.

For his part, Abelardo De la Espriella said he had received similar threats, some of them with explicit references to possible attacks. The attorney, who has built his public profile with a blunt and controversial discourse, stated that the messages come from radicalized sectors and demanded a forceful response from the authorities.

The complaints come amid a context of growing polarization, in which the tone of political debate has intensified, and with last year’s assassination of candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay still very present. Analysts warn that aggressive language and the constant delegitimization of opponents can create an environment conducive to violent actors attempting to intervene in the race.

Specifically, Senator Valencia reported having received a doctored image circulating on social media featuring her photo in black and white, a wreath of flowers, the message “Rest in peace,” and the dates “1978–2026,” clearly resembling an obituary for the conservative candidate.

In response, Valencia stressed the urgency of “a Colombia without fear and safe,” and publicly thanked the expressions of solidarity she received, including those from former president and party leader Alvaro Uribe, fellow candidate Miguel Uribe Londoño, father of Miguel Uribe Turbay, and pro-government candidate Ivan Cepeda, who rejected any form of violence against candidates in the race.

Government response and protection measures

The government of President Gustavo Petro categorically rejected the threats and stated that it will not allow violence to dictate the democratic process. Interior Minister Armando Benedetti announced a series of measures aimed at strengthening the security of all presidential candidates, regardless of ideology.

Among the key actions, Benedetti explained that protection schemes assigned by the National Protection Unit (UNP) will be reinforced, with an increase in the number of bodyguards, armored vehicles, and intelligence teams. In this regard, once the campaign began, the contingent was adjusted with 100 bodyguards, 129 police officers, 37 armored vehicles, and 24 conventional vehicles allocated to the 13 presidential candidates.

In addition, an individual risk assessment will be carried out for each candidate, in order to tailor the measures to the specific threats they face.

The minister also indicated that coordination with the Police and the Military Forces will be intensified to ensure security at campaign events, especially in regions where illegal armed groups have historically operated. These measures include reinforced accompaniment during travel and monitoring of public events.

Benedetti emphasized that the government will activate mechanisms for continuous monitoring of complaints, in coordination with the Attorney General’s Office, to identify those responsible for the threats and bring them to justice. According to him, the goal is not only to protect the candidates, but also to send a clear message that this type of behavior will not be tolerated.

For its part, the Ministry of Defense reiterated that the offer of up to 1 billion pesos (approximately US$275,000) remains in effect for information leading to the identification of those responsible for attacks or threats against presidential candidates, in order to expedite investigations.