Abelardo de La Espriella, lawyer and independent candidate for the far-right movement Defenders of the Homeland (Defensores de la Patria, in Spanish), reported this Thursday morning that he had received direct threats against his life and the security of his campaign, allegedly attributable to the National Liberation Army (ELN).
According to a statement from his team, an anonymous call warned of an alleged “terrorist escalation” in different cities across the country and identified the pre-candidate as a “military target,” which has generated a climate of concern in the national political context.
These statements came at a time when De La Espriella’s campaign was already facing tensions on several fronts, both political and judicial, amid a race that promises to be highly competitive ahead of the May 31 presidential elections.
The report of threats adds to those described by the country’s current president, Gustavo Petro, during a helicopter flight to Monteria earlier this week and other similar episodes reported by members of Congress, once again bringing to the forefront the debate over security and political violence in Colombia.
De La Espriella’s complaint comes in the context of a political campaign plagued by controversies that erupted this very week.
In addition to the allegation that around 62% of the more than 5 million signatures collected to endorse his presidential candidacy would not have passed validation by electoral oversight authorities, and were therefore invalidated, there was also yesterday the complaint by a former and controversial client of De La Espriella, David Murcia Guzman, accusing him of a lack of professional ethics, which sparked open criticism from journalists.
Colombia’s De La Espriella denounces threats from ELN
De La Espriella’s campaign explained this Thursday morning that on Feb. 10 it received an anonymous call warning of a plan for attacks in several cities, including Bogota, Cali, Medellin, Barranquilla, and Cucuta, among others. According to that message, ELN — a guerrilla group that has never signed a definitive peace agreement with the Colombian state and maintains an armed presence in various regions of the country — had identified the candidate and the offices of his movement as targets in an escalation of violent acts.
The information was immediately forwarded to the Sectional Office for Protection and Special Services (Dipro) to activate verification protocols, risk assessment, and the strengthening of existing security measures. In addition, the campaign requested the urgent intervention of the state’s intelligence agencies to “establish the credibility, scope, and origin of the threat,” underscoring the seriousness of the situation and the need for an institutional response that guarantees the integrity of the electoral process.
In his statement, De La Espriella said that the intimidation will not condition his public agenda or his participation in the campaign. Despite the warning, he confirmed that scheduled activities, including a visit to Medellin, remain in place, and stated that “violence does not replace debate nor does it stop the will of the people.”
These words seek to convey firmness and resilience in the face of a context that combines insecurity with political polarization.
ELN in the background of politics
The National Liberation Army has been one of the most persistent armed groups in Colombia’s internal conflict. Although in recent years dialogue efforts have been carried out with various armed actors, ELN has maintained operations in several areas of the country, including targeted attacks and a presence in strategic corridors for insurgent movements.
Its alleged involvement in threats against political figures rekindles fears about the ability of these groups to influence or disrupt electoral processes and public life in general.
The candidate’s complaint comes amid growing concern over the security of political leaders. In past elections and during campaigns, it has not been unusual for candidates or their teams to report threats or acts of violence. However, the explicit linking of an armed group to a presidential candidate is a development that will require authorities to act swiftly to confirm the veracity of the threats and take measures to guarantee the protection of those competing for the highest office in the executive branch.
It is worth underscoring that De La Espriella has positioned himself as a right-wing contender with proposals focused on a strong emphasis on security and order.
In statements and interviews, he has defended the idea of implementing a military offensive against armed groups and drug trafficking, including actions backed by international cooperation, reflecting a stark contrast with the peace and negotiation policies promoted by recent governments.
The fact is that, following this complaint, the never fully buried debate over the security of candidates in Colombia has resurfaced — an issue the state should take seriously, especially after the killing last year of candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay, the victim of an attack in a public square in Bogota while holding a pre-campaign rally.