Colombian President Gustavo Petro stated he narrowly avoided an assassination attempt on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. The incident comes amid ongoing security concerns in the South American nation and raises questions about political stability in the region.
According to the president, a “latest group of drug traffickers” has been plotting against his life since he assumed office in August 2022. Petro described a harrowing escape, stating, “We were fleeing from death.”
The president’s announcement was made public on February 10, 2026 and quickly drew attention from international observers. The potential threat to a sitting head of state underscores the challenges Colombia faces in combating organized crime and ensuring the safety of its leaders.
Details surrounding the alleged attempt remain scarce, but Petro’s comments suggest a deliberate effort to target him. The president did not elaborate on the specifics of the threat or the measures taken to ensure his safety.
This incident follows a series of recent political attacks in Colombia. In August 2025, Miguel Uribe, a senator and presidential candidate, died two months after being shot in the head during a campaign event. Uribe’s death, which occurred on February 11, 2026, was considered the most significant act of political violence in Colombia in approximately two decades.
In a separate incident in 2019, a car bomb attack at the General Santander Police Academy in Bogotá killed 23 people and injured 68. Authorities at the time investigated potential links between the perpetrators and the National Liberation Army (ELN).
The recent events highlight a volatile security landscape in Colombia, where political actors and public figures are increasingly vulnerable to violence. The development underscores the ongoing struggle to establish lasting peace and security in the country.
