Drug Trafficking Groups Want to Carry Out Terrorist Acts to Justify Declaring a State of Emergency

Colombian President Gustavo Petro warned that a bomb attack could target the inauguration ceremony of President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella, set for August 7 in Cali. In a post on X, Petro claimed there are dozens of tons of explosives in Cali, saying, "We know there are dozens of tons of explosives in Cali. Drug trafficking groups want to carry out terrorist acts to justify declaring a state of emergency.

He provided no further details. Local media reported that over 11,000 police and soldiers will be deployed in Cali to prevent violence. Petro, who does not recognize de la Espriella's election victory but will hand over power on August 7, has called for protests in Cali, Barranquilla, and Bogota over the opposition's inauguration.

He has vowed to lead the "toughest opposition against de la Espriella after his term ends. Petro had filed a court appeal on July 22 to annul the June 21 election, alleging irregularities, after right-wing candidate de la Espriella narrowly defeated leftist Ivan Cepeda of the ruling party.