Colombia’s President Abelardo de la Espriella ordered State forces to protect corporate media, claiming alerts over “possible terrorist attacks by the ELN” guerrilla group.
De la Espriella said he issued “specific instructions to ensure that the full capacity of the State is directed toward protecting” private television networks RCN and Caracol, “their journalists, employees, and families” on social media platform X.
The president said he also ordered to increase the protection of Semana, a far-right magazine owned by the main sponsor of his campaign, the Gilinksi family.
Freedom of the press is sacred and must be respected! No narco-terrorist group will silence the media through threats, intimidation, or acts of violence.
President Abelardo de la Espriella
According to the Bogota Mayor’s Office, the orders were issued hours after the prosecution’s Technical Investigations Unit issued a “security alert” to the media outlets and the local government.
In a response, Caracol evacuated its main office in the capital and allowed police to search the premise for bombs without result.
Press freedom foundation FLIP said that “we reject and express our profound concerns over the alerts of possible attacks against media in Bogota.”
“The fact that no explosives have been found does not mean that the risk has ended. These alerts require monitoring and effective protection,” the FLIP said on X.
The alert was issued amid increased violence between guerrilla groups and State forces, who have been ordered to carry out an offensive against insurgencies and organized crime groups by the president.
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