Former Colombian Attorney General Francisco Barbosa Abruptly Ends Presidential Bid, Citing Security Risks and U.S. Intelligence
Bogotá – Francisco Barbosa, who recently stepped down as Colombia‘s Attorney General, unexpectedly withdrew his name from consideration as a presidential pre-candidate, revealing he faced serious threats to his life and lacked adequate security.Barbosa announced his decision during an appearance on teh program The Debate, stating the circumstances made a viable campaign impractical.
Barbosa detailed meaningful security vulnerabilities, including traveling alone on airplanes and through airports with a reduced security detail. He further disclosed receiving information “from people close to the American government” warning of “serious problems” should he continue his candidacy.”And, obviously, information by people close to the American government who tell me about serious problems facing whether he continued in that situation [como precandidato presidencial]. So,given those circumstances,I retire the name,I retire from any beginning of candidacy. I couldn’t campaign normally,” he said.
The former Attorney General also urged other presidential hopefuls to realistically assess their chances in the upcoming election. “What I think is that now with the surveys that must leave in november, an exercise of reflection must be done by many people who are there, that have a lot of enthusiasm, but that have no viability of being elected and making the decision quickly to accompany the sectors that are most favored in the surveys,” Barbosa emphasized. He recently responded to accusations linking him to lists from the SAE, asserting that such matters fall under the sole and exclusive purview of the government.
