The Colombian government said Wednesday it has deployed some 155,000 police and military officers to guarantee security during the country's presidential elections over the weekend, along with commissions to prevent crimes that could affect the elections.
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Colombians will go to the polls Sunday to elect the successor of President Juan Manuel Santos, who ends his second term in August.
Although right-wing Ivan Duque leads the polls, beating leftist Gustavo Petro, the two would have to face each other in the second round in June. Further back are candidates Sergio Fajardo and Germán Vargas Lleras, among others.
"All security guarantees have been given to candidates and offices (...), we ordered increased protection in some cases," Santos said after a meeting with spokespersons of political parties, election observers and authorities.
"The government has facilitated all the conditions so that the electoral organization is up to this challenge of having the best elections in our history," he added, noting that the surveillance includes a plan to prevent computer attacks against the systems of the Registrar's Office, the body in charge of voting.
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