‘Protecting the candidates means ensuring peace for the country and for democracy,’ Interior Minister Benedetti said.

On Tuesday, Colombian Interior Minister Armando Benedetti announced that his government has deployed more than 1,000 state security personnel and 500 vehicles to protect 41 presidential pre-candidates and congressional hopefuls ahead of the 2026 elections.

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“Protecting the candidates also means ensuring peace for the country and for democracy,” Benedetti said at the conclusion of the Third Follow-up Meeting on the Comprehensive Electoral Security Plan (CORMPE).

The announcement comes in the wake of a June 7 attack on Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay, a presidential pre-candidate from the far-right Democratic Center party founded by former President Alvaro Uribe.

Uribe Turbay was shot twice in the head and once in the left leg while addressing supporters at a rally in Bogota. His condition has improved, and his critical status has lessened 16 days after the attack, according to a statement from Fundacion Santa Fe de Bogota, the hospital where he remains under care.

The attack has heightened concerns over the safety of presidential contenders and other candidates ahead of the upcoming elections. Colombia is entering an electoral year, with legislative elections scheduled for March 8, 2026, and the presidential election set for May 31, 2026.

Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez said intelligence mechanisms have been activated, including the Integrated Electoral Intelligence Information Center. Cyber capabilities have also been deployed to prevent threats, disinformation campaigns and polarization on social media platforms.

As part of the government’s “Democracy Plan,” President Gustavo Petro’s administration also announced that the military will contribute nearly 80,000 service members to secure more than 13,000 polling stations across the country.

teleSUR/ JF

Source: EFE

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