Colombia's defence chief warns of possible terrorist attack on presidential inauguration in Cali

Colombia’s outgoing defence minister, Pedro Sanchez, warned that a terrorist plot may be aimed at the upcoming inauguration of President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella, scheduled for Friday in Cali. He explained that security forces are monitoring a specific threat that could involve criminal groups trying to sabotage the democratic ceremony. Cali, located in the country’s southwest, has seen a spike in militia attacks, prompting the deployment of roughly 11,000 troops and the establishment of a drone exclusion zone around the city.

The event will draw leaders from Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, Ecuador and Spain’s King Felipe VI, despite President Gustavo Petro’s refusal to attend. A dissident FARC faction led by Ivan Mordisco operates nearby in Cauca, raising concerns about the use of drones to deliver explosives.