“Today more than ever, Colombia needs the support and democratic backing of the international community. These statements only fuel tensions and deepen the pain of our people. At this critical moment, we demand responsibility, restraint, and a commitment to defending our democracy,” the official wrote on her social media account in response to Rubio’s remarks.

Rubio alleged that the attack on the congressman “constitutes a direct threat to democracy and is the result of violent leftist rhetoric coming from the highest levels of the Colombian government.”

Colombia’s ambassador to Washington, Daniel García-Peña, clarified to Rubio that the government is working to find the masterminds of the crime, detailing that a 15-year-old boy who carried out the attack has been apprehended. “President Gustavo Petro condemned the attack as a vile assault on Colombian democracy and immediately ordered the deployment of all operational capabilities of the Armed Forces, the National Police, and intelligence units,” he wrote.

García-Peña added that, among other actions, a high-level security council was convened under the leadership of the president to define strategic responses, along with the Minister of National Defense, Pedro Sánchez. “In light of the above, we do not accept your comments regarding President Petro,” he emphasized.

The official asserted that Colombia remains steadfast to protect democratic participation and to guarantee justice. “Our institutions and agencies are working tirelessly,” the letter reads.

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